Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday criticised China’s decision to ease restrictions on Russia’s wheat imports at a time when the Russian military operation in Ukraine is underway.

Mr Morrison expressed this thought at a news conference, following China’s General Administration of Customs statement that it had approved imports of wheat from all over Russia.

“At a time when the world was seeking to put additional sanctions on Russia, they have eased restrictions on trade of Russian wheat into China.

“When Australia, together with the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, and Japan are acting to cut off Russia, the Chinese government is following through on easing trade restrictions with Russia, and that is simply unacceptable,” the Australian prime minister said.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Australia had upheld “a cold war mentality and ideological prejudices’’ and advanced false accusations against Beijing, which China finds to be irresponsible and shameful actions.

“China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is consistent and clear.

“At the same time, China and Russia are developing normal trade cooperation based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,’’ ministerial spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a briefing.

Russian and Chinese presidents, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, respectively, met in Beijing on February 4, for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

After the meeting, they adopted bilateral agreements expanding the list and volume of grain supplied from Russia to China.

In particular, they allowed for wheat and barley to be supplied to China from all over Russia.

In the early hours on Thursday, Russia invaded Ukraine, following refusal by its neighbour to adhere to Moscow’s disapproval of it joining NATO.

The move has prompted strong backlash from the West, which has intensified sanction policies against Russia.

(Sputnik/NAN)