RT.com
19 Sep 2023, 00:47 GMT+10
Beijing is pursuing a ?divide and conquer? strategy as it cultivates ties with Canberra, Taipei's envoy has claimed
Taiwan has warned Australia to be wary of a rapprochement with China, claiming that President Xi Jinping could be attempting to drive a wedge between Western countries.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age published on Monday, Douglas Hsu, who was recently appointed as Taiwan's chief representative to Canberra, warned that Xi may have a "hidden agenda" in bilateral relations.
Insisting that he has nothing against improved ties between China and Australia, and that he understands the desire to ramp up trade, Hsu urged Canberra to look beyond what he called the "rosy pictures" painted by Xi about bilateral relations.
"Their strategy is basically divide and conquer," the envoy argued. "We don't want to see a very troublesome world, but we have to keep in mind and look at the track record that Beijing has."
Hsu also complained about what he described as "more aggressive behaviors from China" in recent years. The comments came after Taiwanese defense officials said they had registered more than 103 aircraft belonging to Beijing's military operating near the island between Sunday and Monday.
The Taiwanese envoy further urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to use his upcoming visit to China to send a clear message that Canberra would not accept any "unilateral change to the status quo by force" in the Taiwan Strait.
Earlier this month, Australia and China held their first high-level dialogue in several years after a period of decline in relations which saw Canberra enter into a partnership with the US and UK to procure nuclear-powered submarines.
The security situation around Taiwan - which China considers part of its sovereign territory - has been marked by heightened tensions, with Beijing staging regular military exercises in the region in recent months. Last year, Xi said that while China wants peaceful reunification with the island, it would not rule out the use of force.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Perth Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Perth Herald.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
LONDON, U.K.: A little-known investment fund based in the United Arab Emirates has emerged as the most prominent public backer of U.S....
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
Washington is losing its dominance in the global artificial intelligence race A growing number of top Western companies are adopting...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 3 (ANI): In a major relief for borrowers, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that banks...
Washington DC [US], July 3 (ANI): American tech giant Microsoft will lay off nearly 9,000 employees, about 4 per cent of its workforce...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - , Australian Federal Police (AFP) have shut down a secret drug lab in Sydney's west and seized more than 100kg...
Nearly three months after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar, the country remains trapped in a deepening crisis, compounded by...
MELBOURNE, Australia: A second embryo mix-up in just two months has pushed one of Australia's largest IVF providers back into the spotlight,...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 3 (ANI): Sri Lanka spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis bagged seven wickets in the match as hosts...
Grenada [West Indies], July 3 (ANI): Right-hand batter Steve Smith returned to the line-up as the Australian side announced their playing...