Australia denies willingness to confront China

BEIJING - Australia has denied its foreign minister told media the country is prepared to confront China over issues including security and the law.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recently said "China doesn't respect weakness" and that Australia will speak up in defence of peace, liberal values and the rule of law -- even at the risk of causing offence in Beijing, according to The Age and other Australian media.

"Australia has made clarification to China through diplomatic channels, confirming its foreign minister never made such comments," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a press release on Tuesday.