Albanese dismisses Beijing’s claim Australia plagued by ‘systemic racism’ and ‘hate crimes’

Anthony Albanese has said ‘when it comes to China, we’ve said we’ll cooperate where we can, we’ll disagree where we must’ after China’s foreign ministry accused Australia of double standards on human rights. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Anthony Albanese has dismissed criticisms by China’s foreign ministry that Australia is plagued by “systemic racism” and “hate crimes” after Australia’s top diplomat raised concerns about rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Lin Jian, accused Australia and other nations who joined the statement of double standards, saying it was “political manipulation under the pretext of human rights”.