China Urges Australia Not to Abandon Support for Taiwan Reunification

SYDNEY - China cautioned Australia to abide by its 'One China' policy after a senior Australian on Sunday warned of a potential conflict over Taiwanese independence. 

Speaking on an Australian news talk show, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said he couldn't rule out a military confrontation over Taiwan. "I do not think it should be discounted. I think China has been very clear about the reunification and that has been a long-held objective of theirs and if you look at any of the rhetoric coming out of China from spokesmen particularly in recent weeks and months in response to different suggestions that have been made, they have been very clear about that goal." Currently, relations between Australia and China, its most valuable trading partner, are at their worst in decades. There have been trade and political tensions as well as disagreements over human rights. Canberra's call last year for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus, which was first detected in China in 2019, offended Beijing. It interpreted Australia's demand as criticism of its handling of the pandemic. Bilateral ties have deteriorated ever since.