“We express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the recent provocative actions on Taiwan-related issues by Australia,” said Tan.
“Recently,Australia has taken a series of provocative actions and some people have even incited confrontation and exaggerated the threat of war on Taiwan-related issues. Such actions are incredibly irresponsible.”
Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo in April told his staff that Australia must search for peace but warned “the drums of war” are beating in comments widely interpreted as being directed at the situation in the Taiwan Strait. The remarks were followed by Defence Minister Peter Dutton who said the possibility of conflict should not be discounted.
China has sent hundreds of warplanes over the area since January,escalating its military sorties to intimidate and deplete resources of the Taiwanese defence force. On April 12,25 Chinese warplanes were sent towards the strait alone,according to figures from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence.
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China views its neighbour as a renegade province. Australia has acknowledged China’s position on Taiwan since diplomatic ties were established with the Chinese Communist Party in 1972 under the “one-China policy” but has not recognised or endorsed China’s claim.
The position is consistent with much of the West,which has relied on maintaining this ambiguity to reduce the risk of conflict over the self-governed island,a key liberal enclave and a vital strategic post in the Indo-Pacific.