Chinese ambassador criticises plan to return Darwin Port to Australian ownership

Machinery can be seen sitting at the Port of Darwin, located in the Northern Territory's capital city of Darwin in Australia, April 21, 2017. Picture taken April 21, 2017. - Reuters

SYDNEY: China's ambassador to Canberra has criticised the Australian government's intention to return Darwin Port to local ownership, saying the Chinese company running the strategically located northern port should not be punished.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in April during the election campaign that his government was working on a plan to force the sale of Darwin Port from its Chinese owner on national interest grounds.