China’s blunt message on Taiwan at Adelaide reception hosted by Premier Peter Malinauskas

A top Chinese official has declared the Communist nation’s “family reunion” will not be complete without Taiwan, at an event hosted by Premier Peter Malinauskas.

A blunt message to Australians about China’s stance on Taiwan has been issued by a top official at an Adelaide reception hosted by Premier Peter Malinauskas.

In an extraordinary speech from South Australian Consul-General Li Dong, he said the Taiwan question was at the core of China’s interests and “the family reunion is not complete without all family members, including Taiwan”.

Speaking at a Chinese National Day reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic, Mr Li did not specifically refer to the $368bn AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine project centred on Adelaide – a counterweight to China’s unprecedented military build-up.

But he stressed China opposed “the use of the Taiwan question by some sources outside the region to create tensions and impede China’s development”.

“On this national day, I would also like to say a few words on the Taiwan question, which is crucial and essential to China,” Mr Li said, on Tuesday night at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

“The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests. The family reunion is not complete without all family members, including Taiwan.

“The one China principle is the prevailing consensus among the international community, supported by UN resolutions and international law.

“We oppose the use of the Taiwan question by some sources outside the region to create tensions and impede China’s development, since China and Australia are all focusing on the economic development and managing the challenges from climate change and others.

“We all hope to maintain regional stability and realise common development.”

Louise Miller-Frost, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Adelaide Consul-General Li Dong and Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia. Picture: Paul Starick Picture: Paul Starick

Mr Li’s speech mostly emphasised China’s strong trade relationship with South Australia, which reached $7.5bn in the past financial year.

He highlighted the recent announcement by China Southern Airlines of a resumption from December 11 of direct flights between Guangzhou, China, and Adelaide, flying three times a week.

Mr Li, who arrived in Adelaide in September, 2023, to assume office, emphasised China’s advances in the past 75 years “under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party”, saying it had “successfully embarked on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics”.

“More than 1.4bn Chinese people have been involved in pushing forward the great national rejuvenation through the Chinese-style modernisation and have created two miracles,” he said.

“One is rapid economic development and the second is the long-term social stability … China has strongly boosted global development and can be regarded as a staunch force in the forefront of peace, stability, openness and co-operation.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas and China’s South Australian Consul-General Li Dong share a toast at the reception. Picture: Paul Starick

Mr Malinauskas did not mention AUKUS or Taiwan in his speech, instead emphasising the shared aspirations of Australian and Chinese people.

“We want our families to enjoy an ever-greater standard of living. We want our children able to access world-class education that opens the way to better and higher paying jobs,” he said.

“We want peace and prosperity for the next generation and the next and the next.

“It is a great and noble dream that we share in this regard.”

A Foreign Affairs and Trade Department spokesperson said: “Australia opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Australia calls for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through dialogue without the threat or use of force or coercion.

“Australia has consistently adhered to its longstanding and bipartisan one-China policy. Australia values its deep and productive unofficial relationship with Taiwan, which includes exchanges on trade and investment and people-to-people ties.”

Federal Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said, “regional stability is in everyone’s interests, which requires respect for the will of all people, including the Taiwanese people.”

“There should be no unilateral change to the status quo regarding China and Taiwan,” Mr Birmingham said.

“To preserve regional peace the Chinese government should refrain from dangerous or provocative military actions that risk accident, miscalculation or escalation.”

Both Mr Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia declined to comment on Mr Li’s message about Taiwan.

Originally published as China’s blunt message on Taiwan at Adelaide reception hosted by Premier Peter Malinauskas