Beijing says don’t ‘hype up the so-called China threat narrative’ after Australian criticism

Call comes after Australia’s defence review says activities in South China Sea ‘threaten rules-based order’

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The Chinese government has urged countries not to “hype up the so-called China threat narrative” after a major Australian defence review criticised its activities in the South China Sea.

The Australian government’s defence strategic review, released on Monday, labelled the intense competition between China and the United States as “the defining feature of our region and our time”.

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