The Guardian - China-Australia politics live Marles warns of risks in grave China clash the fables spread by the no campaign
October 18, 2023 3 min 612 words
Richard Marles' statement on Australia's role in a potential conflict over Taiwan is a sobering reminder of the complex geopolitical challenges facing the region. He rightfully argues that a war between the US and China over Taiwan would be a matter of utmost seriousness, and Australia cannot afford to be passive observers in such a scenario. Marles highlights the need for Australia to work with its allies and partners to prevent such a conflict, which is a responsible stance. Australia's position on Taiwan as a self-governed democracy is well-known, emphasizing a peaceful resolution based on the will of the people. Marles' comments do not constitute a precommitment to military action but underscore the importance of being proactive in preventing a major conflict. It's a call for Australia to engage diplomatically, strengthen alliances, and work towards regional stability. The mention of Peter Dutton's earlier statement further illustrates the sensitivity and nuances of Australia's foreign policy. In a world marked by increasing great power competition, Marles' words serve as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities Australia faces in maintaining regional peace and security.
Australia cannot be ‘passive bystanders’ in a war over Taiwan, Richard Marles says
A war between the US and China over the future of Taiwan would be “so grave” that Australia cannot be “passive bystanders”, the defence minister has said.
Richard Marles pushed back at the idea advanced by some commentators – including the former Labor prime minister Paul Keating – that Taiwan is “not a vital Australian interest”.
Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Marles said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “a failure of deterrence” and “our job is to ensure we experience no equivalent failure in our region”. In an address to the Seoul Defence Dialogue on Wednesday evening, he said:
The most consequential risk we face is the resumption of great power conflict in our lifetime. Nowhere will this be more important than on the issue of Taiwan.
Marles emphasised that Australia had not changed its position on Taiwan – a self-governed democracy of 24 million people that Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out taking by force:
Australia does not take a position on the final status of Taiwan other than it must be arrived at peacefully, consistent with the will of peoples on both sides of the strait, and not though the use of force or coercion.
But the consequences of US-China conflict over Taiwan are so grave that we cannot be passive bystanders.
Marles’s comments are not a precommitment of Australian forces to a future war, but a call for Australia to work with its allies and partners to ensure such a conflict is prevented.
His predecessor as defence minister, Peter Dutton, was accused of straying from longstanding bipartisan policy when he said in November 2021 that it “would be inconceivable that we wouldn’t support the US in an action if the US chose to take that action”.
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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the day in Canberra and beyond. I’m Martin Farrer and I’ve got some of the breaking overnight stories before my colleague Amy Remeikis takes the controls.
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Defence minister Richard Marles has said that the “the shadow of war still haunts us” and warned there was still potential for conflict in the region, including if Taiwan becomes a flashpoint between the US and China. Speaking last night during a visit to South Korea, Marles pushed back pushed back at the idea that Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest. The biggest risk to Australia was a new great power conflict, he said in an address to the Seoul Defence Dialogue, and nowhere would be more important than Taiwan. More coming up.
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