China’s ambassador to Australia has condemned the Albanese government’s plan to reclaim Darwin Port from Chinese company Landbridge, warning against penalizing an enterprise that has invested and contributed to the local economy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had earlier stated that the government was working on reclaiming the port—currently leased to Landbridge on a 99-year agreement since 2015—on national interest grounds, citing security concerns.

The Chinese Embassy, in a statement, criticized the move as “ethically questionable,” suggesting that it was unfair to seek the port’s return now that it has become profitable.

Landbridge has insisted the port is not for sale, despite the Australian government’s consideration of directly intervening and buying it back if no private buyer emerges.

The controversy unfolds amid growing defence cooperation between Australia and the U.S., with military infrastructure being expanded in northern Australia, including rotational deployments of U.S. bombers and fighter jets.