Australia must defend its sovereignty and not “surrender to China,” says Sky News contributor Cory Bernardi.

Sky News host Peta Credlin said there is an “escalating trade tension” with China after it was reported almost $700 million worth of Australian coal is being held at Chinese ports due to alleged problems with environmental standards.

“They are bullies,” Mr Bernardi said.

“And I suspect, as others have said, they may be dealing from a position weakness,” he said.

“In the end, I just think we’ve got to stand up to them, and it’s going to hurt, it’s going to hurt our economy, no doubt about it”.

“I don’t want China owning Australia,” he said.