[ Mothership ] Unthinkable for Australia not to join US in defending Taiwan: Defence minister
Australia will join the U.S. in defending Taiwan as not doing so is unthinkable as an alliance partner, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton told The Australian in an interview that was published on Friday, Nov. 12.
He further expressed his belief that the Chinese government has no right to claim Taiwan as its territory.
China has been “very clear about their intent to go into Taiwan”, he said, adding that Australia needs to “make sure that there is a high level of preparedness, a greater sense of deterrence by [their] capability”.
And should the U.S. chooses to defend Taiwan in the event of war between China and the self-ruled island, which Beijing views as a wayward province, it would be “inconceivable” for Australia to not support the U.S. in action, he said.
Nevertheless, Dutton was cautious in making this remark, saying, “I think we should be very frank and honest about that, look at all of the facts and circumstances without pre-committing, and maybe there are circumstances where we wouldn’t take up that option, (but) I can’t conceive of those circumstance.”
DPA Notes: Australia had pretty much announced that they will defend Taiwan as long as USA commits to it – and also doubling down on their rivalry with China.