Representational image. AP
Taiwan has warned Australia to be cautious in its dealings with China, suggesting that President Xi Jinping may be trying to create divisions among Western nations.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Taiwan’s newly appointed chief representative to Canberra, Douglas Hsu, raised concerns about a potential “hidden agenda” in China’s bilateral relations.
Hsu expressed support for improved China-Australia relations and increased trade but encouraged Canberra to see beyond what he referred to as the “rosy pictures” painted by Xi Jinping regarding their relationship.
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He stated, “Their strategy is basically divide and conquer. We don’t want to see a very troublesome world, but we have to keep in mind and look at the track record that Beijing has.”
Hsu also voiced his concerns about what he described as China’s “more aggressive behaviours” in recent years. These comments followed reports from Taiwanese defence officials about over 103 Chinese military aircraft operating near the island.
The Taiwanese envoy called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to use his upcoming visit to China as an opportunity to send a clear message that Canberra opposes any “unilateral change to the status quo by force” in the Taiwan Strait.
Australia and China recently held their first high-level dialogue in several years after a period of strained relations. During this time, Australia became a part of the AUKUS alliance — a trilateral security pact with the US and UK to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Australia is also a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or the Quad, a strategic security dialogue with India, Japan and the United States aimed at challenging Beijing’s increased economic and military power in the region.
Tensions around Taiwan, which China considers part of its sovereign territory, have escalated, with Beijing conducting regular military exercises in the region. While China expresses a desire for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, it has not ruled out the use of force, as stated by President Xi Jinping last year.