China warns Australian government over plan to reclaim Darwin port

China's ambassador to Australia has warned nan national authorities its push to return backmost nan larboard of Darwin would bring awesome negotiated fallout.

During a caller sojourn to nan port, ambassador Xiao Qian described nan Albanese government's scheme to scrap a lease connected nan installation held by a Chinese-based institution arsenic "ethically questionable".

He said relations betwixt Canberra and Beijing were astatine consequence of cooling if nan authorities pushes ahead.

Xiao said Chinese institution Landbridge, which successful 2015 was granted a 99-year lease to run nan port, should not beryllium penalised for its investment.

"Such an endeavor and task deserves encouragement, not punishment," Xiao said successful a statement.

"It is ethically questionable to lease nan larboard erstwhile it was unprofitable and past activity to reclaim it erstwhile it becomes profitable.

"China and Australia are broad strategical partners. The 2 sides should foster communal trust, arsenic mutually beneficial practice aligns pinch our shared interests."

During nan national predetermination campaign, some Labor and nan Coalition pledged to scrap nan Landbridge lease and bring Darwin larboard backmost nether Australian control.

In nan lead-up to predetermination day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said nan authorities had been moving "for immoderate time" to get nan larboard backmost into Australian hands.

But Xiao, who visited Darwin larboard past weekend, said nan lease signed betwixt Landbridge and nan NT authorities 10 years agone was wholly legitimate.

The ambassador besides said nan Chinese institution had invested heavy successful nan port. 

Xiao said he was hoping nan national and Northern Territory governments "will create a fair, transparent, and predictable business environment" for Chinese enterprises successful Australia.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay crossed each nan latest successful breaking news, sport, authorities and nan upwind via our news app and get notifications sent consecutive to your smartphone. Available connected the Apple App Store and Google Play.