Hillary Clinton has warned democracies to be on the lookout for interference from foreign powers such as
Russia and
China, as she is reluctant to be drawn into the debate on alleged Russian meddling in the American
election.
Speaking in
Australia on Monday, the former Presidential candidate told broadcaster ABC that international meddling was a threat to all parties.
She said: “Australia, along with other liberal democracies around the world, have got to take the threat of foreign interference seriously."
An Australian senator quit in December following questions over his relationship with a donor to the Chinese Communist Party.
The former First Lady’s comments have angered Chinese authorities who have attacked the stories as paranoia.
Ms Clinton said: “I know just from reading that there have been instances of exposures concerning political efforts by Chinese interests to direct policy outcomes.
“We have an interest in making sure that decisions that are made by our governments are not the result of some influence peddling by a foreign power.”
Clinton’s election campaign was tarnished by allegations of Moscow meddling that allegedly helped Trump into the White House.
She encouraged people of all political persuasions to stand up against foreign meddling.
She said: “Whether it’s Russia in a secret way interfering with our election and producing more than 3,500 ads to try and confuse our electorate to try to damage me, to the Chinese looking to influence policy, we should say no.
“I don’t care what side of the political aisle you might be on, either in Australia or the United States.”
The country has been hit with several allegations of Chinese meddling in recent months.
Clinton was reluctant to comment on the ongoing investigation into supposed Russian meddling in President Trump’s election campaign.
She said: “There is certainly a lot of smoke.
“How much fire it turns out to be, we will find out when the investigation is completed."
President Trump has been inconsistent with his comments on potential Russian meddling.
In 2017 he said: “This Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story”.
However, he tweeted in February: “I never said Russia did not meddle in the election, I said it may be Russia, to China, or another country or group.”