China ambassador tells Australian protestors ‘no such thing as absolute freedom’

Xiao Qian says there is no reason for China and Australia to be enemies as his address is interrupted by protests

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China's ambassador to Australia has declared there is no such thing as absolute freedom" as he defended his country's human rights record during a speech in Sydney.

Facing repeated interruptions from protesters, Xiao Qian said on Friday there was no reason the two countries should be enemies but they should respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity - phrasing that indicates Australia should moderate its comments about Taiwan and Hong Kong.