Australia’s envoy wary of China’s “destabilizing” actions around Taiwan

Australia’s new ambassador to Japan said on Friday that his government is wary of China’s “destabilizing” actions around Taiwan, calling for international cooperation to ensure regional security.

“Our position is very clear: any conflict, miscalculation or use of violence to change the status quo would be catastrophic,” Ambassador Justin Hayhurst said in an interview with Kyodo News, ahead of a summit of Australian Quad leaders. , India, Japan and the United States later this month.

China considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland by force if necessary.

Tensions around Taiwan have been rising, especially after China held a series of war games around the island in response to a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker of United States Representatives Kevin McCarthy in California last month.

Hayhurst, who officially took office last month, said he was “concerned by the destabilizing actions China has taken, whether in relation to Taiwan or in the South China Sea,” adding that it is vital “to support peace and stability and avoid conflicts and aggressions”.

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He also expressed concern about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating that there is a “clear connection between what happens in that conflict and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

China considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland by force if necessary.

The Quad summit between the four main democracies of the Indo-Pacific is scheduled for May 24 in Sydney.

The meeting will follow the G7 summit, to be held from May 19 to 21 in Hiroshima, to which Japan invited Australia as a guest country.

“At a time of uncertainty and risk, in the absence of highly developed regional security mechanisms, partners must work together collaboratively to protect and promote” their security, foreign policy and economic interests, Hayhurst said.

At the next Quad summit, he said, a “new initiative” will be defended to advance agendas such as regional security, maritime security and cybersecurity.

China has criticized the Quad, saying countries should not form “exclusive and closed circles” and that it is striving to establish an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

In such a deteriorating security environment, Japan’s parliament last month passed legislation for a defense cooperation agreement with Australia, in a veiled response to China’s military rise and aggressive stance in the Indo-Pacific.

The pact establishes rules for the transport of personnel, weapons and supplies. The ambassador said Australia hopes to complete its ratification and hold joint exercises with Japan by the end of the year.