Australian Defence Minister warns China's Indo-Pacific ambitions do not stop at Taiwan

Looking at Russia-Ukraine war, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton raised concerns over China-Taiwan situation. He stated that those who believe that China's Indo-Pacific ambitions are limited to Taiwan and that re will be kck-on effects, don't understand history.

As per reports of ANI, talking about Russian President Vlimir Putin's attack on Ukraine, Dutton stated, "When you look at what's happening in Europe at moment, people who believe that President Putin's only ambition is for Ukraine don't understand history that our military leers understand."

Dutton also said that he thinks y should do everything y can to prevent China from acting aggressively in ir region. He me it clear that y want peace in region, according to PTI. However, Zhao Lijian, who is a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that Dutton should focus on Australia's own business, claiming that he has t re his remarks but China and Russia would be outrd if he did say those things.

New strategic convergence has evolved between Beijing and Moscow

Last week, QU leers agreed that what is happening in Ukraine should t be repeated in Indo-Pacific. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Australia's intelligence he stated that a new strategic convergence has evolved between Beijing and Moscow, and possibility of major power confrontation has increased, according to ANI. 

Australia's director-general of Office of National Intelligence, Andrew Shearer, suggests that Chinese President Xi Jinping looks to be intending to control Indo-Pacific area and use it as a base to surpass United States as world's top power.

Australia and China's relations have t been very good since 2020 when Canberra suggested an impartial international investigation into origins of COVID-19. After Australia anunced a trilateral security alliance with United Kingdom and United States in September, relations between two countries deteriorated even more. Dutton stated last month that unless Australia and its partners stand up to Beijing in South China Sea, y will "lose next dece".

Taiwan has fought Chinese aggression

In meanwhile, Taiwan has fought Chinese aggression by strengning strategic connections with democracies such as United States, which Beijing has consistently opposed. China claims full sovereignty over Taiwan and it has vowed war if Taiwan declares independence.

(Inputs from ANI/ PTI)

Im: AP/ Unsplash