Richards Marles has reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the one-China policy as Canberra moves to “stabilize” its relationship with Beijing.
Speaking to Sky News Australia’s Kieran Gilbert on Sunday, the defense minister and acting prime minister said Australia’s main motive was to see a “de-escalation of tensions” in the region.
“What we want to see is a return to normal peaceful behavior, which underpins that, from Australia’s point of view, we don’t want to see any unilateral change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait,” he said. .
“That means we have a one-China policy that has been the status quo for Australian politics, and indeed for the United States and other countries, for a very long period of time.”
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Under Australia’s version of the one-China policy, Taiwan is recognized as a province of China and is not recognized as its own country, however, the policy allows for unofficial contacts, including visits by MPs to parliamentary delegations .
Marles said he did not believe Australia’s position on Taiwan would hinder the repair of bilateral relations between Canberra and Beijing, but said he wanted to see the relationship in a “better place”.
“We talk about a stabilization of the relationship, and in doing so we recognize that there will be challenges in the relationship with China,” he said.
“What we’ve tried to do is really change the tone of how we engage with the world, but that includes how we engage with China.
“We’re not doing chest-beating stuff, we’re really trying to speak in a considered voice in a way that’s professional, that’s sober, that’s diplomatic.”
Beijing ended diplomatic communications with Canberra in January 2020 and imposed sanctions on barley, beef, wine and other goods after then-prime minister Scott Morrison called for an investigation into the outbreak of COVID- 19.
He said the Albanian government’s approach would be “professional” and “respectful” in its approach without compromising Australia’s national interest.
“We want to engage in a professional and respectful manner, but we will absolutely articulate our national interest,” he said.
“There will be challenges going forward while recognizing that they are our largest trading partner and we value a productive relationship with China.
“We want to see our relationship in a better place, but we will continue to articulate our national interest and see how far we can go down that path.”