The board was split on whether the CK takeover of APA would be contrary to the national interest. The deal would have created a mega-energy infrastructure provider through a $20 billion network of power plants and gas. The board was unable to reach a unanimous recommendation.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission[ACCC] said it would not oppose the acquisition after the CK consortium entered into a court-enforceable undertaking to divest some of its gas assets in Western Australia.

The $600 million bid for Lion Dairy by Mengniu Dairy was blocked in August by Frydenberg. FIRB and Treasury had recommended the sale go ahead and the ACCC approved the deal. It would have seen Mengniu take over Lion's milk,iced coffee,yoghurt and soy milk portfolio. No agricultural land was part of the sale.

Frydenberg said at the time that the deal was"contrary to the national interest"but has not elaborated how the purchase would have threatened competition or national security.

China's opaque business environment has significant restrictions on foreign investment and land purchases. The Treasurer was contacted for comment.

The dispute follows months of rising animosity between China and Australia over the Australian government's decision to block Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from the 5G network,its push for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus and criticism of China's actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Chinese state media on Monday confirmed Australian thermal coal has been blocked from entering Chinese ports,hobbling at least $4 billion a year in exports.

Wang told reporters on Tuesday night he was unaware of the specific situation and referred them to China's Customs Department.

"Recent measures taken by the Chinese authorities on some imported products from Australia are in line with China's laws and regulations and international practices,"he said."They are also responsible steps to safeguard the interests of domestic industries and consumers."

The trade dispute now covers more than $20 billion in Australian exports.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday said that if the reports of a ban on Australian coal were accurate that would"obviously be in breach of our free trade agreement".

"Australia's sovereignty is never for sale,"he said."What we are looking for is ensuring that we can continue on with what has been a very mutually beneficial relationship."