China-Taiwan battle ‘should not be discounted’: Dutton
Rising tensions between China and Taiwan mean a battle in the region “should not be discounted”, Defence Minister Peter Dutton warns.
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A battle over Taiwan’s independence “should not be discounted”, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said as tensions with China continue to simmer.
Mr Dutton said it had long been a goal of the Chinese Communist Party to bring Taiwan back under its control, but that Beijing’s rhetoric and actions had been heating up in recent weeks and months.
“I think people need to be realistic about the activity. There is militarisation of bases across the region,” he said.
“Obviously there is a significant amount of activity and there is an animosity between Taiwan and China.”
Asked if the prospects of conflict between China and Taiwan were likely, the Defence Minister said, “I don’t think it should be discounted”.
Mr Dutton said it was important for Australia to focus on continuing good relations within the region, and that China remained an important trading partner.
“But we do have a difference of opinion with the ideals of the communist party of China. Let’s be very frank about it,” he said.
China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, while Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state.
Australia does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, but dealings do take place unofficially, including trade.
The relationship between Australia and China has been deteriorating in recent years, including a series of trade sanctions enforced by Beijing in the past 12 months.
Last week, Beijing’s deputy head of mission in Australia accused Canberra of “conniving, unethical and immoral” actions, in blocking Huawei from a bid to build the nation’s 5G system, while warning China was not a “cow (to be) milked in her prime” and “slaughtered”.
Australia also tore up a Belt and Road Initiative agreement between Victoria and Beijing, citing national security concerns, which prompted a swift rebuke.
China’s Foreign Ministry warned it would respond “firmly and forcefully” is the decision was not reversed.
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