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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has responded to the Chinese Embassy's leaking of a private conversation with the department's secretary saying it won't respond by "itself breaching" diplomatic courtesies.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Jingye Cheng leaked a conversation with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade surrounding Australia's push for a global inquiry and China's threat of a boycott on Australian goods.

Ambassador Jingye Cheng suggested Secretary Frances Adamson "admitted" Australia cannot have the proposed inquiry during the coronavirus crisis, according to Sky News reporter Annalise Nielson.

DFAT's statement said it will "not respond by itself breaching the long standing diplomatic courtesies and professional practices to which it will continue to adhere".

"How foreign missions engage the Australian media are matters for those missions".

Image: AP