Australia backs ‘status quo' amid US pressure on Taiwan
Washington has reportedly been pressing Canberra on the matter as the Trump administration turns its attention to an 'imminent' China threat in the Indo Pacific.
A Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which is democratically self-governing, would cause mayhem for global shipping lines and disrupt the supply of semiconductors — crucial tech components.
Speaking to reporters in Shanghai, the Prime Minister struck a cautious tone.
'Our aim of investing in our capability and as well investing in our relationships, is about advancing peace and security in our region,' he said, as stone-faced Chinese officials watched from the sidelines.
Mr Albanese said he had no plans of changing Australia's 'consistent position' on Taiwan's future.
'We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan,' he said.
'We don't support any unilateral action there. We have a clear position, and we have been consistent about that.'
In somewhat of a veiled shot at Trump administration, he went on to say it was 'important' in international relationships to 'have a stable, orderly, coherent position going forward'.
'Australia does we want peace and security in our region,' Mr Albanese said.
'We don't want any change to the status quo - that's Australia's position today, that was Australia's position last week, that's been a bipartisan position for a long period of time.'
He was pressed on whether the US had sought assurances that any nuclear-powered submarines acquired under AUKUS would be deployed in a conflict over Taiwan.
Mr Albanese kept tight-lipped, only saying that 'through the AUKUS agreement' all stakeholder countries had 'very clear understandings of what AUKUS is for'.
'We want peace and security in our region,' he said.
'We don't change our position on a day to day basis - that is what the world needs and that is what we'll continue to do.'
Pressed further on any private conversation with the Americans, Mr Albanese shot back: 'Private by definition, that's in private.'
'You don't take private comments at a media conference,' he said.
'We engage in a mature way. That's the way that we do with our relationships.'
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