There are reports that Chinese officials have outlined a list of complaints against Australia and demanded Australia take action to try to improve relations between the two countries.
Among the complaints are a ban on Huawei technology, foreign interference laws believed to target China, and calls for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
The list also draws on Australia's support for the United States' stance on China, Australia's public condemnation of China's human rights record in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and lawmakers who publicly criticize China.
It was reported in the Nine Entertainment newspaper that an official from the Chinese embassy in Canberra said, "If you make China your enemy, then China will become your enemy."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was free to form independent relationships and defend human rights.
But Australia has refused to apologize to China after being accused of poisoning relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed Australia's claim to be responsible for the escalating tensions, saying Australia would always put its own national interests first.
