The Australian defense minister claimed that if the mainland "attacks Taiwan by force", it will advance and retreat with the United States, and experts: Australia is playing the role of the vanguard of the United States' anti-China campaign

Source: Global Times

In terms of foreign policy, Australia has followed suit with the United States and has completely lost its independence and self. Australian Sky News broadcast a clip of An australian defense Dalton's interview with the media on the 24th, who claimed that in the face of the possibility of Chinese mainland "attacking Taiwan by force", Australia will advance and retreat together with the United States. Asked if Australia would go to war with China, Dutton said it was "a question that should be answered by China". This interview quickly triggered follow-up and speculation in the Taiwan media.

Dutton Infographic

Dutton said australia and the United States have established an alliance for 70 years, and military cooperation can be traced back to 100 years ago. He stressed that in addition to the traditional allies such as the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand, Australia has focused on developing relations with Japan, India, South Korea and other countries in recent years. Dutton said he had many years of experience as head of Australia's intelligence services, and he knew that "Chinese mainland have clear intentions toward Taiwan," and that he was also fully aware that "the United States has a clear response to the Taiwan issue." Although Australia has only 25 million people, it will fulfill its commitment to support the United States and its allies.

The Global Times reporter noted that the video released on October 24 was a clip of a interview with Sky News during Dutton's visit to the United States in late September. But the Interview aired by Sky News on Sept. 26 included only about Australia's U.S.-China relations, when Dutton said the Australian government's desire was to "maintain peace with China", but stressed that "it is not to keep the peace in the face of Australia's weakness". After Biden recently claimed to "defend Taiwan", Sky News took the unaired part of the old interview content out of context and re-edited it and broadcast it, which has the meaning of "rubbing Biden traffic" and "catching the audience's attention".

Chen Hong, director of the Australian Research Center of East China Normal University, said in an interview with the Global Times reporter on the 25th that australian media have always echoed with Australian politicians to jointly create Australia's anti-China stance on China-related issues, especially on the Taiwan issue. Dutton's remarks reflect that on the Taiwan issue, Australia is playing the role of the vanguard of the United States' anti-China campaign. In order to follow the US anti-China campaign, Australia has abandoned its consistent diplomatic claims and international commitments.

Chen Hong believes that Australia has stood in a relatively dangerous zone on the Taiwan issue, and at the instigation of the United States, Australian politicians have recently been not satisfied with a war of words, but have begun to gradually clarify specific action steps, including the purchase and equipping of nuclear submarines. He stressed that the anti-China words and deeds of some Australian politicians are not only self-sufficient, but also very stupid. If the Australian side really embarks on the road of military provocation against China, it will not have a good end.

In addition to "speaking harshly" militarily, Australia is also adopting a policy of hostility toward Chinese enterprises in economic and trade relations. According to Reuters reported on the 25th, the Australian government decided to fund the acquisition of telecommunications company Digicel Group's business in the Pacific region, reuters believes that the Australian government's move is intended to curb the rising influence of China in the region. According to Telstra's statement, the transaction is $1.6 billion, and the Australian government will provide $1.33 billion of the total purchase price, with Australia Telecom bearing the remaining part of the funds.

According to the data, Digicel Group is the largest mobile communication operator in the Pacific region, operating in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and other countries. In January this year, Australian media reported that China Mobile intended to acquire Digicel Group's Pacific company, which caused concerns from the Australian government and considered "blocking it". Australian telecom industry analyst Paul Bud described the acquisition as a "political purchase" and bluntly stated that without the Australian government's requirements and guarantees, Telstra would not fund the acquisition. Amanda Watson, an expert on Pacific affairs at the Australian National University, said that given the geopolitical issues between Australia and China, "the Australian government is very concerned that China has a large telecommunications company in the Pacific".

The Global Times reporter noted that Australia has been keen to implement a comprehensive competitive strategy with China in recent years, especially to strengthen its presence in the Pacific region, and the telecommunications industry has always been the focus of Australia's attention.