Alarm bells after Ausgrid bids barred

Treasurer Morrison said electricity network included critical power services

The blocking of Chinese companies' attempts to buy a controlling stake in an Australian electricity grid has sounded the alarm for Chinese outbound investors regarding sectors deemed to be in the national interests of Western countries, an analyst said on Friday.

Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison on Thursday barred State Grid Corp of China and Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd from buying 50.4 percent of electricity distributor Ausgrid, which was valued at more than A$10 billion ($7.7 billion).