Australian State Signs on to China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks during the State Commemoration for the 10 year anniversary of the 2009 Victorian bushfires in Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 4, 2019. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Victoria has signed up to China’s controversial “One Belt, One Road” infrastructure program amid federal government criticism.

Premier Daniel Andrews agreed to the global project on Oct. 23 while in Beijing, deepening the state’s ties to the country after signing a memorandum of understanding for the program last year. The MOU last year had caught the criticism of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.