Richard Baker – October 5, 2020
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last year asked the Chinese government to set up a technology research and development centre in Melbourne, prompting warnings about intellectual property theft and the potential national security implications.
Mr Andrews’ request for a so-called “torch centre” to be set up in Melbourne was part of his attempt last October to court Chinese investment and which saw him describe Victoria as “China’s gateway to Australia”. The offer was made in a letter sent last year to China’s Minister for Science and Technology, Wang Zhigang, and followed up in person in a meeting between the Premier and vice-minister Huang Wei in October last year.