Australia has shelved plans to ratify a controversial extradition treaty with Beijing following concerns raised by lawmakers over inadequate protections for human rights and rule of law in China. The decision to pull the parliamentary vote on Wednesday represents a setback for the Australian government, which had warned in recent days that failing to ratify the treaty could damage Sino-Australian relations. The failure comes just days after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s state visit to Australia, where he emphasized the importance of co-operation to tackle cross-border crime, the Financial Times reports. Beijing is making a diplomatic push to clinch treaties with western powers as part of his signature anti-corruption campaign, which is targeting hundreds of officials who have allegedly fled overseas with illicit funds. France and Spain have already ratified extradition treaties with China, while Canada and New Zealand are considering.
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