Luke Gosling avoids Chinese military envelopment following Taiwan visit

The Territorian MP jetted out of Taipei City just as the Chinese military started to surround the island. Read his comments.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling (right) pictured with Taiwanese President, Dr Lai Ching-Te (left). Picture: Supplied.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling narrowly avoided a tense situation when he jetted out of Taiwan just hours before China’s People’s Liberation Army surrounded the tiny island, occupying its waters and airspace.

Last week, Mr Gosling travelled to Taiwan as part of a delegation to witness the inauguration of the new Taiwanese President, Dr Lai Ching-Te.

In his inauguration speech, President Lai urged China to stop its military threats.

“I hope that China will face the reality of (Taiwan’s) existence), respect the choices of the people of Taiwan, and, in good faith, choose dialogue over confrontation.”

Beijing, which claims Taiwan to be a breakaway province of China, responded with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army launching a two day military exercise around the island for its so-called “separatist acts”.

Mr Gosling was in Taiwan to witness the inauguration of the island’s new president: Solomon MP Luke Gosling Facebook.

According to Chinese state-media platform, Weibo, the military exercise code-named Joint Sword-2024A, involved a maritime and airspace envelopment of the self-governing island with both warships and combat aircraft conducting mock strikes in the region.

Mr Gosling did not address the Chinese’ military flex directly when approached by the NT News, however the Solomon MP said President Lai’s speech had been “measured”.

“Dr Ching-te’s inauguration speech was measured and promoted the retention of a sensible status quo where the people of Taiwan continue to self-govern in peace,” he said.

“We all seek peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and Australia’s long-term bipartisan position is that we do not want to see any unilateral change to the status quo or coercion.”

Tasmanian Senator Claire Chandler (pictured third from the left) with the Australian delegation sent to Taiwan. Picture: Senator Claire Chandler Instagram.

However, another member of the Australian delegation, Tasmanian Senator Claire Chandler, took to social media platform X to denounce the aggressive move.

“Just as we landed back in Australia, Chinese announced military drills surround Taiwan,” she said.

“It should be evident to all Australians that its intimidatory behaviour like this – and not the longstanding practice of Australian delegations visiting Taiwan – which threatens peaceful relations in our region.”

A handout photo taken on May 23, 2024 and released by Taiwan's Defence Ministry on May 24, 2024 shows Chinese military vessels sailing in an unknown location. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Gosling hailed Taiwan as a key partner of Australian and specifically the Territory.

“Australia has strong people-to-people ties with Taiwan – something I’ve understood for many years as my Dad, John Gosling AM, helped establish Taiwan’s Guide Dog Foundation after meeting then-President Lee Teng-hui almost three decades ago now,” he said.

“As a democratic trading partner in the Indo-Pacific – and the Northern Territory’s second largest export market – Taiwan matters.

“Working with Taiwan is in Australia’s national interest, and I was pleased to personally congratulate Taiwan’s new President Dr Lai Ching-te on the successful transfer of democratic governance.”