Taiwan’s Foreign Minister thanks Australia after Peter Dutton’s blunt warning to China

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, who says he has a ‘kangaroo in his heart’, has thanked Australia for its blunt message to China.

Taiwan has offered a message of thanks to Australia in the wake of Peter Dutton’s stern warning to China not to invade the small island nation or risk destabilising the entire region.

Taiwan has also asked for closer relations with Canberra in an attempt to strengthen ties.

In an interview with The Australian, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said he was thankful for the Australian government’s escalating concerns and said the comments were helping to de-escalate conflict in the region.

He told the newspaper that while his country was capable of defending itself, Australia’s support for Taiwan was helping to preserve stability.

“As I say all the time, I have a kangaroo in my heart,” Mr Wu told The Australian, making reference to his kangaroo lapel pin.

“Australia is so far away from the rest of the world but look at Australia’s record.

“Participating in battles, or wars, in terms of safeguarding freedom and democracy. Also in terms of fighting together with allies … it’s very touching.”

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says he has a ‘kangaroo in my heart’. Picture: Walid Berrazeg/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Mr Wu, who was sanctioned last month by Beijing, said his government greatly appreciated Australia’s concern.

“There’s a natural passion of the Australians … When other fellow democracies are threatened, they like to speak out,” he said.

“Australia is not alone in supporting Taiwan in that way.”

During his interview, Mr Wu called for closer relations with Canberra – saying he wanted regular cabinet-level contact between Taipei and Canberra.

Mr Wu’s comments come amid a raging debate within Australia about how to co-ordinate with allies to prevent a war being launched against Taiwan by China.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton last week told the National Press Club that Canberra needed to stand up to China, or risk losing national sovereignty as a “tributary state”.

During his speech, he warned that if Beijing took Taiwan it would swiftly become the region’s dominant power and would seek to target Japan’s Senkaku Islands next.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton used his National Press Club address to warn China to stay away from Taiwain. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

He said China’s desire to transform the regional order was a direct threat to Australia’s security, making note that every major city, including Hobart, was within range of Chinese missiles,

“In the absence of a counter pressure, the Chinese government becomes the sole security and economic partner for Indo-Pacific nations,” he said last week.

“This is a perilous military and economic situation for our country and many others.

“Does the Chinese government wish to occupy other countries? Not in my judgment, but they do see us as tributary states.

“And that surrender of sovereignty and abandonment of any adherence to the international rule of law is what our country has fought against since federation.”

In response, the Chinese embassy warned Mr Dutton against “preaching his quixotic misunderstanding” of China’s foreign policy.

“(Mr Dutton is) misguiding the Australian people on regional situations and priorities and fanning conflict and division between peoples and nations,” the embassy said.

“It is inconceivable that (the) China-Australia relationship will take on a good momentum or the overall interest of regional countries, including that of Australia, will be better promoted if the Australian government bases its national strategy on such visionless analysis and outdated mentality.”

Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong accused Mr Dutton of playing dangerous political games and “amping up war”.