Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

Australia's Defense Department will remove surveillance cameras made by "Chinese Communist Party-linked companies" from its buildings, the government said Thursday after the US and Britain made similar moves, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Defense Minister Richard Marles was quoted as saying that "where those particular cameras are found, they're going to be removed."

Without any evidence to prove that those "particular cameras" pose threat to national security, those devices shouldn't be treated unequally just because they come from Chinese companies. The Australian business community has been eagerly awaiting a boost in bilateral ties, and currently, it is in the critical period of pushing China and Australia economic and trade relations back on track. It would be deeply disappointing if the normal use of surveillance cameras hinders the hard-won atmosphere for expanding bilateral cooperation. We should not take risks just because of some politicians' narrow-minded geopolitical thinking. 

As bilateral relations are showing improving signs, many Western media reports focus mainly on Canberra's call for resumption of "unimpeded trade," trying to exert pressure on the Chinese side and further complicate China-Australia relations. But it makes simple sense that, on the basis of mutual equality and mutual benefit, the improvement of bilateral relations requires joint efforts from both sides - not only China but also Australia.

The relaxation and improvement of China-Australia relations have brought opportunities for some Australian companies to re-enter the Chinese market, with a highly anticipated consumption rebound, following China's optimized epidemic control measures and policies. The Australian business community has been eagerly awaiting trade improvement, but it should also be pointed out that a handful of people in Canberra are willing to act as a US chess piece and continue to use the so-called human rights issue, national security issue and others to slander and attack China. Australia is a vital ally of the US. It comes as no surprise that Washington has notable influence on Canberra and some Australian politicians.

Currently, political tensions between the US and China provoked by Washington have thrust technology and supply chains into the spotlight and threaten to fracture the recovery of the global economy. Some analysts believe the US hopes to use its allies, Japan and Australia included, to drag China into a costly and protracted strategic trap which consumes China's comprehensive strength and economic potential, and isolate China in the Asia-Pacific region. The US doesn't want to see China-Australia relations return to a normal, mutually beneficial state. The warmer China-Australia relations are, the more rabid some political elites will become. 

In the past few years, China-Australia relations have encountered difficulties and setbacks, which we do not want to see. During the most difficult period in China-Australia relations, why China-made surveillance cameras can be used in government buildings, and now, when bilateral relations are showing improving signs, Australian Defense Department has been under increased pressure to remove those cameras. The best explanation to the normal use of China-made cameras in the past is that those devices from the first place pose no threat to national security.

The AP report said at least 913 cameras, intercoms, electronic entry systems and video recorders developed and manufactured by Chinese companies are in Australian government and agency offices. So far, there is no evidence to prove that any information collected by these devices can be sent back to China. 

Now, China-Australia relations have gone through difficulties and regained positive momentum. We should cherish the valuable and hard-won momentum that has been achieved through dialogues. The relaxation of China-Australia relations has boosted expectations for improving economic and trade ties between the two countries after years of tension. The trend should not be interrupted by narrow-minded geopolitical thinking.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Monday held a video meeting with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell. Wang said China pays close attention to Australia's tightening of security reviews on Chinese companies and hopes that Australia will properly handle relevant cases and provide Chinese companies with a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment.

Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Mininstry spokesperson, also said on Thursday that China opposes the wrong practice of suppression of Chinese companies by stretching the concept of national security and abusing state power in response to a question regarding the camera issue.    

Better bilateral relations will set a very positive tone for economic recovery in the post-pandemic era, especially for Australia. Canberra should resist the pressure from Washington, try to manage irrational voices domestically, and continue to push China-Australia relations back on track.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn