Australia faces big decisions on Taiwan in next 12 months

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 02:01 · Archive

Australian senator Jacqui Lambie warns Australia must decide whether to help Taiwan if China attacks in the next 12 months.

Australian crossbencher Jacqui Lambie has warned that Australia faces crucial decisions about Taiwan in the coming year, after Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed 'complete reunification' of the island with mainland China. 'We've already heard from Xi Jinping that he intends to take Taiwan next year,' Lambie told the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. 'Do we go in and help Taiwan if that happens? Or do we not?'

Xi declared the Taiwan question an 'unwavering historical mission' for the Chinese Communist Party this week, stating that 'the complete reunification of the motherland must be realised, and it will certainly be realised'. Earlier in the month, China staged unannounced drills encircling Taiwan with warships while dozens of military aircraft operated around the democratically self-governing island. The exercises were unusually secretive and covered a much larger area of the Western Pacific than previous war games.

A conflict in the Taiwan Strait would severely disrupt crucial trade routes that Australia relies on to ship iron ore, coal and gas. It would also halt Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor production and inflict substantial damage on the Chinese economy, placing further pressure on global markets. Foreign ministers from the world's top seven economies condemned the drills, saying they 'threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping'.

How it is being reported

• ‘Next 12 months’: Australia facing ‘very big decisions’ on Taiwan, Jacqui Lambie warnsArmy veteran and independent senator Jacqui Lambie has delivered a stark warning about the likelihood of conflict on Australia’s doorstep in the “next 12 months”.The West Australian · 15 Nov, 01:32
• ‘Next 12 months’: Australia facing ‘very big decisions’ on Taiwan, Jacqui Lambie warnsArmy veteran and independent senator Jacqui Lambie has delivered a stark warning about the likelihood of conflict on Australia’s doorstep in the “next 12 months”.Perth Now · 15 Nov, 01:32

In this story: Jacqui Lambie · Xi Jinping · Taiwan · China · Australia

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