China condemns Australian MP’s Nazi Germany parallel

China has rebuked an Australian government MP for comparing the west’s approach to China to what he called the “catastrophic” failure to hold back Nazi Germany.

Head of a parliamentary security committee, Andrew Hastie said on Thursday that Australia was failing to recognise threats posed by China.

Beijing said it deplored Mr Hastie’s comments and his “cold war mentality”.

Australian PM Scott Morrison said Mr Hastie was entitled to his own views.

Opposition lawmakers said Mr Hastie’s “extreme” comments would exacerbate recent strains with China.

Australia has struggled in recent times to balance its traditional security alliance with the US with its economic reliance on China.