Tensions between China and Australia may escalate further, diplomatic observers have warned, after the Australian defence minister said conflict with Beijing over Taiwan should not be discounted and suggested a Chinese port lease could be terminated. “It is hoped that the Australian side will fully recognise the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, abide by the one-China principle, be prudent in words and deeds, refrain from sending any false signals to the separatist forces of ‘Taiwan independence’,...
...and do more things to benefit the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and Sino-Australian relations,” Wang Wenbin, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said on Monday.
On Sunday Defence Minister Peter Dutton told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that conflict with Beijing over Taiwan “should not be discounted”. He added that while the Australian armed forces maintained high levels of preparedness to meet any threats to its allies, Canberra would work to try to maintain peace...MORE
