Australia said a decision to cancel two deals between Victoria state and China on the Belt and Road Initiative was about ensuring consistency in foreign relations and was not aimed at any country.
The Chinese Embassy earlier criticized the move by Foreign Minister Marise Payne to veto two framework agreements signed by Victoria state as "provocative" and said it would further damage ties with Australia.
Payne said on radio on Thursday she had received a thousand notifications from the states about deals they had with multiple foreign governments, under a new process that gives her veto over such arrangements.