SIMIC

The Australian federal government scrapped both the memorandum of understanding and framework agreement signed between Victoria and China's National Development and Reform Commission, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in an emailed statement. Two other deals between Victoria and the governments of Iran and Syria were also nullified.

"I consider these four arrangements to be inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations," Ms Payne said.

The bans were the first under laws passed by the national parliament in December that give the foreign minister the ability to block new and previously signed agreements between overseas governments and Australia's eight states and territories and also with bodies such as local authorities and universities.

China's foreign ministry has urged the Australian government to withdraw its "erroneous decision" to cancel Belt and Road Initiative accords, reported Caixin.

Labeling the decision "political manipulation and irrational behavior," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin that Canberra should immediately withdraw its decision, stop making irresponsible accusations and cease blocking normal bilateral cooperation, "otherwise, China will respond resolutely".