Anthony Albanese coy on if Australia would defend Taiwan militarily if China invaded

The Prime Minister refused to address a key issue when asked about China in a major interview on US television.

Anthony Albanese has taken a subtle dig at the previous government while declaring he would not be drawn into a hypothetical about Taiwan.

The Prime Minister was appearing on CNN when he was asked if Australia would defend Taiwan militarily if China was to invade.

“We’re not dealing with hypotheticals, as have Australian governments taken that position in the past,” he said.

“Australia supports a one-China policy, but we also support the status quo when it comes to the issue of Taiwan; that people respect the existing structures which are there. I believe that clearly is in the interests of all parties.

“And I have taken the view as well that it is not in the interests of peace and security to talk up those issues of potential conflict.”

Mr Albanese has long criticised the previous government for playing up fears about China’s military might.

Anthony Albanese has taken a subtle dig at the previous government.

Earlier in the year, now-opposition leader Peter Dutton had to dial back his rhetoric after he said it would be “inconceivable” for Australia not to join the US should Washington take action to defend Taiwan.

Last week, CIA director William Burns warned it was a matter of when, not if, China would make a move on Taiwan.

“Our sense is that it probably affects less the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose some years down the road to use force to control Taiwan, but how and when they would do it,” Mr Burns said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that under President Xi Jinping China had become “more aggressive” but reaffirmed his commitment to “standing up for Australian values”.

Mr Albanese’s remarks come just months after then-defence Minister Peter Dutton dialled back his retorhic.

It comes as Beijing confirmed it was conducting military exercises off its coast opposite Taiwan amid a row over the potential visit of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Ms Pelosi would be the highest ranking US official to visit Taiwan since 1997, but she has yet to confirm if she will make the trip.

On Friday, President Xi warned US President Joe Biden against “playing with fire” over Taiwan in a two-hour phone conversation.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese coy on if Australia would defend Taiwan militarily if China invaded