Australia's ambassador to Poland has reached out to dissident artist Badiucao as he faces pressure from China to cancel an upcoming exhibition in Warsaw.
The show critiques China's human rights record and highlights leader Xi Jinping's links to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Chinese diplomats have pressured the Polish government to shut the exhibition down before its launch on Friday and have twice visited the Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art where it is being held, the artist said.
Badiucao has complained that as an Australian citizen, he expected more support from the government because he is worried about his safety.
"If they fail to silence my show they will move on to more personal threats and attacks," he said.
But a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Polish Ambassador Lloyd Brodrick has offered to support Badiucao and meet him.
Australia is committed to supporting freedom of expression, the department said, and government agencies would continue to take action to deter foreign interference within their jurisdiction.
"Artists should be able to carry out their work consistent with the right to freedom of expression under international human rights law," the spokesperson said.
The promotional image for the show is a painting of Xi Jinping eating human flesh.
A previous Badiucao exhibition in Hong Hong in 2018 was shut down following threats to the artist's family and his shows in Italy and the Czech Republic have also faced pressure.
The Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art has also issued a statement expressing "concern and astonishment" at the actions of the Chinese Embassy in Warsaw.
The Chinese Embassy in Australia has been contacted for comment.
