China's ambassador warns Australia on buyback of key port

FILE PHOTO: China's Landbridge group was granted a 99-year lease on Darwin port in 2015, a widely criticised decision that led to stricter scrutiny of infrastructure sales. - DARWIN PORT OPERATIONS/FACEBOOK

SYDNEY: China will act to defend its companies' interests if Australia forcibly buys back control of the strategic northern port of Darwin, Beijing's ambassador has warned.

China's Landbridge group was granted a 99-year lease on the port in 2015, a widely criticised decision that led to stricter scrutiny of infrastructure sales.