Tuning into Press Club launch of the China Story Yearbook. Chinese Deputy Head of Mission Wang Xining and AFR correspondent @MikeSmithAFR are speaking, along with Jane Golley. Wang says he can't agree with everything in the Yearbook but it's "quality, sophisticated research" 1/

Pretty conciliatory opening from Wang Xining. He says both China and Australia have done a "good job" curbing the spread of COVID-19 and then promoting an economic recovery 2/

Strange image. Wang compares China to a hard-working Ox, ploughing through troubles. But he adds: "China is not a cow. I don't think anyone should try to milk it in her prime and then plot to slaughter it in the end" 3/

Host @latingle asks Wang about Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who's facing espionage charges in China. Very bland response. Wang says she is "suspected of violating the security law of China. All these cases will be handled according to legal procedures and documents" 4/

Interesting. Wang Xining is asked about @billbirtles and @MikeSmithAFR fleeing China after being interviewed by state security. Wang says he's "sympathetic" to both men, and "we will continue to discuss ... and (see if we can) find out a solution" 5/

Now @latingle asks about this story about Melbourne woman Mehray Mezens. Her husband has been in and out of detention centres and concentration camps in Xinjiang 6/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-20/uyghur-australian-resident-sentenced-to-jail-in-xinjiang-china/100074634

Wang says "I don't know every case" and adds there is an Australian Govt consular service available for people to pursue. He says "individual cases" are not necessarily representative of what is happening in Xinjiang 7/

Now Wang is hitting his stride. He's asked about the bilateral relationship. Makes it clear China is still deeply unhappy about Australia's decision to lock out Huawei. He says Aust "had no glorious role" and was "conniving" when it "falsely accused" Huawei of posing a threat 8/

A bit more wolf warrior red meat here. Wang says Australia's broadband speed is "slower than some developing countries" because it's locked out innovative companies like Huawei and it's behaving like a "vassal" - "don't pretend you have moral high ground" 9/

Wang is asked what will get the relationship back on track. He says Australia should honour the strategic partnership, "refrain from interfering" and respect China's sovereignty: "if people are able to do that then normal ties can be resumed" 10/