Australia cancels Belt and Road deals with China

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Australia said on Wednesday it has cancelled two cooperation deals between its state of Victoria and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying it falls foul of Australia's national interest.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced on Wednesday night that the BRI deal that Victoria state signed with China has been cancelled under the Commonwealth's new foreign veto laws.

The move is the first use of the new power which allows the commonwealth to unilaterally veto deals it views as contrary to the national interest.

The Australian government has also rejected a 2004 deal with Iran and a scientific deal with Syria.

Canberra says it found the agreements "inconsistent" with Australia's foreign policy.

The BRI is a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure scheme launched in 2013 by China. It involves development and investment projects with countries along the ancient Silk Road trade routes that stretches from Asia to Europe, Africa and beyond.