'When encountering a dangerous situation, please report to the police immediately and contact the Chinese embassy in Australia for timely assistance and support."

Foreign interference legislation

A very similar statement was issued in mid-December last year at the same time there were reports that Beijing was extending its infiltration and repression activities on Australia's university campuses. The government also announced foreign interference legislation which was aimed primarily at Beijing.

Intelligence sources have advised the sector that the broad nature of the alerts and the fact they overstate the safety situation without providing any detail make it likely they are acts of political and financial retaliation. China can reduce the number of Chinese students in Australia and steer them elsewhere.

The latest statement coincides with confirmation that United States Admiral and head of Pacific Command Harry Harris will be Washington's next ambassador to Australia. Admiral Harris is a renowned China hawk.

Chief executive officer of the Group of Eight, Vicki Thomson, declined to comment on "the broader geopolitical issues that are being managed between Canberra and Beijing, and, unfortunately, played out in the media" but she said it was clear "China is sending Australia an economic signal using international education as the message".

"We do have a responsibility to reassure our current and future Chinese students that they are warmly welcomed and valued at our universities.

"We will ensure that they are, and feel, safe regardless of what is occurring in the sphere of diplomatic relations.


"The Go8 will continue to do what we do best – provide a safe environment and a quality education.

"The Go8 will continue to emphasise the benefits of our educational links with China for mutual understanding, trade, tourism and direct economic benefit."

Escalating rhetoric

In late December, The Australian Financial Review was warned by senior Chinese officials that there would be retaliation for Mr Turnbull's escalating rhetoric.

"It is not acceptable for Australia to continue business as usual and feel free to make forced comments," the official said.

Earlier this week, former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd accused Mr Turnbull of an inconsistent approach to China and of running an "anti-China jihad" in response to the government's tough talk against Beijing over the new foreign interference laws.

Mr Rudd said the government had embraced "neo-McCarthyism" for domestic political point scoring and was unnecessarily fanning anxiety among patriotic Chinese-Australians.

He downplayed the need for the foreign interference laws, saying China was like any other nation seeking to assert its influence and the best approach to dealing with Beijing was a consistent application of Australia's existing laws, including foreign investment rules.