Wang made the comments as he co-chaired the latest round of the high-level strategic dialogue between China and the EU alongside EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. 

China has repeatedly denounced the new Indo-Pacific security alliance, which would provide Canberra with a nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

Wang's comments came as foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying (Above) also questioned whether Australia cared about improving relations with China.

"China has its own judgment on whether Australia is really sincere in improving and developing its relations with China, or whether it is saying one thing while doing another behind the scene, or even blatantly stabbing in the back," Ms Hua said,

"We hope that the Australian side will [...] take practical actions to create conditions for the restoration and improvement of relations between the two countries."

Relations between the two countries have been strained over a number of issues aside from the submarine deal, including an investigation into the origins of COVID-19, a trade war, and regional security.

China's UK ambassador joins in:

Shortly after Ms Hua's remarks, China's ambassador to London said that foreign attempts to contain or besiege China would always fail, and major powers should avoid colonial thinking that could lead to confrontation with the world's second-largest economy.

Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the 72th anniversary of the People's Republic, said the Communist Party had thrown off foreign oppressors and rebuilt China by lifting over 770 million people out of poverty over half a century.

"Attempts to contain or besiege China have never succeeded in the past and will always be an empty dream in the future," Mr Zheng said.

"No one can stop the Chinese people from making further progress."

He suggested big powers reject "colonial mentality" and "other moves that lead to division or confrontation."

The United States and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China's growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea.

Xi to promote 'patriotic' scientists:

On the same day, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he wanted to increase the talent pool of scientists and intellectuals in China who have the "correct political inclination" and are imbued with patriotic feelings to serve their nation, state news agency Xinhua reported.

China aims to greatly increase investment in research and development by 2025 and its ability to nurture domestic talent by 2030, Xinhua reported, quoting comments made by President Xi at a two-day conference in Beijing.

Fostering intellectual talent, especially in the sciences, has become a more urgent priority for China as the United States increasingly shuts its doors to Chinese students and scholars studying sensitive topics and restricts the export of technology to, and sharing of ideas with, its strategic rival.

"(We must) insist on the correct political inclination, continuously improve the work of intellectuals, inspire talented people to feel a deep patriotism, forge ahead and serve the country," Xi said.

Sources | AP / Reuters