Australian diplomats have issued a strongly worded statement criticising Beijing’s use of economic coercion and warning that its behaviour could undermine the global trading system. Australia’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), George Mina, released the statement as part of the global body’s regular Trade Policy Review process. It said that while increased engagement from Beijing was welcome, it had made little progress in adopting WTO principles and that it needed to “adhere more closely to market-oriented principles.” “Since its last review, China has increasingly tested global trade rules and norms by engaging in practices that are inconsistent with its WTO commitments. Australia is one of numerous WTO members that has experienced this first-hand,” the statement read. It outlined a range of activities undertaken by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Australian exporters, including arbitrary border testing and inspections, the imposition of tariffs, and unwarranted delays in listing export …