China’s ambassador to Australia said China is “ready to use all necessary means” to reunify Taiwan with “the motherland”, while addressing Australia’s “difficult” relationship with the superpower.
During a speech at the National Press Club, Ambassador Xiao Qian said the United States was to blame for rising tensions around the self-governing island.
Xiao asserted that the United States “must bear full responsibility” for escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, calling Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to “China’s Taiwan region” a “serious violation” of the One China principle.
China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, during a speech at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
“Speaker Pelosi insisted on visiting the Taiwan region despite China’s strong opposition, making it clear to the world that it was the US side that first took provocative steps to change and undermine the status quo “, he said.
“China is obliged to take countermeasures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is legitimate and justified.”
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has drawn the ire of the Chinese government. (AP)
He said China has been very patient in waiting for “peaceful unification”.
“But … we can never rule out the option of using other means, so when necessary, when we are forced to, we are ready to use any means necessary,” he said.
When asked to clarify how “all necessary means” should be interpreted, Xiao said, “You can use your imagination.”
China is “absolutely determined” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, insisting that Beijing “will never allow Taiwan to break away from China.”
“What do you mean, (what) does ‘everything necessary’ mean? You can use your imagination.”
“A matter of reunification”
During the speech, reporters asked Xiao what would trigger a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, what kind of military it might involve and what the impacts might be.
Xiao said he would “prefer not to use the word ‘invasion’ when we talk about China and Taiwan.”
“Taiwan is different from any other scenario or situation,” he said.
“Taiwan is not an independent state.
“Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China”.
He framed the tensions as an “issue of reunification, full reunification” and “Taiwan’s return to the motherland.”
China has launched military exercises near Taiwan following a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The areas marked in red show where the exercises of the People’s Liberation Army are taking place. (CNN) Xiao reminded Australia of its commitment to the one-China principle. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
“China and Australia, we can be friends”
During his speech, Xiao spoke at length about the “much-discussed and much-discussed” China-Australia relations, saying the two countries can “become friends” again.
“In the past two years, unfortunately, the relationship between China and Australia was caught in a difficult situation for reasons known to everyone,” he said.
“This has greatly affected bilateral exchange cooperation… and seriously damaged the friendship between our two peoples.
The 2022 federal election, which saw Anthony Albanese oust Scott Morrison, had been an opportunity to “reset the relationship” between China and Australia.
He then detailed meetings between ministers in Beijing and Canberra, where he said “encouraging” progress had been made.
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He said the West should see China “as a partner rather than a rival”, then detailed Beijing’s commitment to international agreements and the UN.
“No matter how China develops now or in the future, China will never seek hegemony or sphere of influence,” he said.
The development of China-Australia relations was at a critical juncture, he said.
“China’s policy of friendship and cooperation with Australia remains unchanged.”
The ambassador said the election of Anthony Albanese was an opportunity to “re-establish the relationship” with China. (Alex Ellinghausen)
Although the two countries are close, there were obvious differences between China and Australia, Xiao said.
“As the old saying goes, no two leaves are alike,” he said.
“As we are different, there are no areas where we have fundamental conflicts of interest.”
The two countries should work hard not to allow any differences to obstruct or “hijack” the relationship, Xiao said.
“As we say in China, only the wearer of the shoes knows whether the shoes fit or not.”
Xiao claimed China has no interest in interfering with Australia’s foreign policy and denied there were any moves afoot to establish a military base in the Solomon Islands.