(5min)China ‘threatens’ Australia with ‘ballistic missile strike’ via Global Times propaganda tool

China has threatened Australia with a retaliatory ballistic missile strike over incursions into Taiwan according to Curtin University Professor Joe Siracusa.

Citing a Global Times article Mr Siracusa said long range ballistic missiles were threatened by Beijing which he noted would definitely “follow through” on their claims if tested.

“I regard a threat like that as a very serious diplomatic error on their part,” he said.

In response, Mr Siracusa argued the Australian government should call the Chinese ambassador in for questioning, ask him to repudiate the claims and if he fails then expel him from the country.

“When you threaten another country with a strike on their homeland it’s time to tell the ambassador to go home and that sends a very important message.”