Australian Lawmakers Reject China’s Demand to ‘Repent’ for Criticism of Communist Party

Two members of Australia’s conservative coalition government have rejected Beijing’s demand they “repent” for their criticism of the Chinese Communist Party.

They said Saturday they will never back down from “standing up for Australian sovereignty, our values, our interests, and standing up for people who can’t stand up for themselves.”

Outspoken Liberal politicians Andrew Hastie and James Paterson were due to take part in a study tour to China next month, but when the tour operator called the Chinese embassy to arrange their visas, it was told the pair was “unwelcome at this time”.

Both politicians have been constant critics of China’s authoritarian state, particularly its human rights record and alleged interference in Australia’s political system, as Breitbart News reported.

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