A high-ranking Chinese diplomat has hit back at criticism of China from Liberal politicians, accusing them of lacking understanding.
Wang Xining, deputy to China's ambassador to Australia, said MPs Andrew Hastie and senator James Paterson, who have been banned from travelling to the Asian superpower, showed no respect for his county.
"It is cynical that in a country boasting freedom of speech, different views from another nation are constantly and intentionally obliterated," he wrote in an opinion piece in The Australian.
"Understanding truth succumbs to being politically right. A people said to be audacious and adventurous like kangaroos are scared of stepping out of the comfort zone of ideas and thinking."
Mr Wang said people in China would "laugh out loud" if they were told MPs were rejected from visiting the country because Beijing can't handle criticism.
He said Australians would be astounded by the overwhelming support of the Chinese people for the government's decision to ban Mr Hastie and Senator Paterson.
"They had tossed rounds of insult and pressure and showed no respect for the nation of which they are knocking at the door," he wrote.
He also took aim at a strategic forum, which included former prime minister Paul Keating earlier in the week, that featured a range of speeches about Australia's relationship with China.
"The forum was still several stones throw from a qualified China debate, as there was no genuine or faithful presentation of the views and ideas from the target country."
Mr Wang urged Australians to study Mandarin as part of a wider effort to understand Australia's largest trading partner.
Liberal backbenchers have been increasingly critical of China's record on human rights over mass detention of Uighurs, police brutality in Hong Kong and the detention of pro-democracy activist Yang Hengjun.
Australian Associated Press
