China’s Envoy Criticizes Australian Politicians for Visiting Taiwan for “Political Motives”
On Thursday, the Chinese ambassador to Australia criticized Australian lawmakers who go to Taiwan, alleging that they are being used by the island’s separatists. Following this week’s visit by an Australian parliamentary delegation to Taiwan and the upcoming speech by a former prime minister in Taipei, Ambassador Xiao Qian made some remarks in Sydney. Taiwan is seen by China as being a part of its land.
Australian lawmakers and previous prime ministers who go to Taiwan, according to Xiao, “carry political significance.” “I don’t want to see that happen,” Xiao told reporters. “It might be easily used by the political forces in Taiwan for their independent forces movement, for their secession movement.”
“I hope they would adhere to the one-China policy’ in words and in reality by abstaining from dealing with Taiwan in any way or capacity,’ said Xiao, in order to prevent them from being used politically by those on the island who have political intentions. The “one-China policy” maintains that the Communist Party rules China and that Taiwan is a part of it.
Wednesday, a day after President Tsai Ing-wen pressed Australia to approve joining a regional trade deal at a meeting with six visiting Australian parliamentarians, the Chinese government accused Taiwan’s ruling party of wanting independence.
Scott Morrison, a former Australian prime minister, will address the Yushan Forum in Taipei on October 11 and 12, which focuses on Taiwan’s relations with its neighbors. Morrison’s four-year administration, which came to an end when his conservative coalition government was ousted by the center-left Labor Party in elections last year, saw a dramatic decline in Australia’s ties with China.
Morrison is still a member of Parliament from the opposition. The current Australian administration has strengthened ties with China, and Anthony Albanese will visit Beijing this year, marking the country’s first prime minister to do so in seven years.
