Australia's Government owned ABC Newsreports October 4, 2021:
"Taiwanese Foreign Minister warns his country is preparing for war with China, asks Australia for help "
Key points:
- Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warns of looming war with China and urges closer cooperation with Australia
- Dozens of Chinese military aircraft have flown into Taiwanese airspace in recent days
"...Taiwan's Foreign Minister warns his nation is preparing for war with China and urges Australia to increase intelligence sharing and security cooperation as Beijing intensifies a campaign of military intimidation.
...Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, but the [Australian] government regularly calls for a "peaceful resolution" of differences between China and [Taiwan] through dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion.
A communique issued after last month's AUSMIN meetings between Australia and the United States declared that "both sides stated their intent to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which is a leading democracy and a critical partner for both countries".
...Earlier this year, America's most senior diplomat in Canberra also confirmed Australia and the United States were discussing contingency plans in case a military conflict erupts over Taiwan.
Last year, Frances Adamson, the then-head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warned she was more concerned about a "crisis" in the Taiwan strait than at any other point in her diplomatic career.
...Taiwan has also welcomed the recent establishment of the AUKUS strategic partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the growing activity between the Quad allies, the US, India, Australia and Japan.
...The Taiwanese Foreign Minister said that unlike Australia, [Taiwan] would not be trying to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, because it has a "different war strategy".
...[Australian] Defence analyst Professor Clinton Fernandes from the University of New South Wales warns it would be difficult for the US and allies to prevent any invasion attempt by China.
...Professor Fernandes doesn't believe China will launch any military strike on Taiwan before next year's Beijing Winter Olympics but warns something more coercive is likely ahead of Taiwan's presidential elections in 2024.
"The defence of Taiwan is predicated on a Chinese invasion – but if China's main effort is not an invasion but a blockade, then what? Taiwan doesn't have a Plan B – that's the big problem."
SEE WHOLE ABC ARTICLE HERE