<중관영지>, Australian Parliamentary Delegation's Visit to Taiwan Condemned as "Stop Playing with Fire"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] A Chinese state-run media outlet representing the Chinese authorities fiercely criticized Australian lawmakers' visit to Taiwan, saying they "must stop playing with fire before getting burned."

In an editorial on the 5th, the Global Times condemned the visit as "reckless behavior" carried out at a time when efforts were being made to improve the deteriorating bilateral relations over the past three years.

The editorial criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for not clearly opposing the visit by his country's politicians to Taiwan, accusing him of making ambiguous, evasive remarks that encourage anti-China and pro-Taiwan factions within Australia.

The criticism targeted Albanese’s distinction that the visit was at the level of ordinary members of parliament rather than cabinet participants or ruling party leadership, emphasizing that it was not a government-led initiative.

It further stated, "Those who play with fire will perish by it," emphasizing that "politicians from certain countries visiting Taiwan to gain attention only bring risks and tensions to Taiwan and gain no benefits for their own countries."

Professor Chen Hong from the Australia Studies Center at East China Normal University said in an interview with the outlet, "In the so-called Western system of separation of powers, the prime minister or president cannot directly prevent the actions of lawmakers," but added, "the head of state can express their opinion that such visits are inappropriate."

He continued, "Although the visit was not led by the Australian government, since they will meet with high-ranking Taiwanese officials such as Tsai Ing-wen, it is not a simple visit," and argued, "This visit reflects the pro-Taiwan separatist forces within Australia and undermines the 'One China' principle."

Highlighting that the visit took place shortly after British lawmakers visited Taiwan, he claimed, "It shows that there are forces in Australia supporting Taiwan's independence."

Professor Chen said, "There are serious doubts about Australia's credibility in improving relations with China," adding, "If the hard-won atmosphere of bilateral improvement is damaged by reckless moves, Australia's national interests will be harmed again, and Australia will have to bear the consequences."

Earlier, six Australian parliamentarians visited Taiwan for a five-day schedule. The delegation, which includes former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce from the Kuomintang and two ruling Labor Party lawmakers, is scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu during the visit.

Relations between China and Australia began to sour in 2018 when the Australian government banned Huawei's participation in the 5G network citing security threats, and have since intensified amid issues such as the COVID-19 responsibility debate and China's enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Australia is a member of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue: the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia), an informal security forum that the Biden administration is actively promoting as a strategy to counter China.