Australia warns against China’s move to ‘normalise dangerous actions’ in territorial rows

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s comment comes as an Australian government delegation visits Singapore to discuss deepening their ties

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Chinese coastguard personnel appearing to wield bladed weapons during a clash in the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:19pm, 3 Dec 2024

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned against what she said was China’s move to “normalise dangerous actions” in territorial disputes with other nations, reiterating Canberra’s earlier calls to manage such issues through dialogue.

At a forum in Fullerton Hotel in Singapore on Tuesday, Wong vowed that Canberra would back the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to ensure there would be processes in place to de-escalate tensions.

“We also, in our region, do see China’s efforts to normalise dangerous actions towards Philippines and Taiwan, and we have consistently articulated our view as to the importance of peace and stability in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait,” Wong said at the event organised by the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies.

She stressed that “prevention mechanisms to provide transparency and reassurance” were needed “now more than ever”.

Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reintegrated into mainland control, by force if necessary. While many nations, including the US, do not officially acknowledge Taiwan as an independent state, they oppose any use of force to alter the status quo.

Wong’s comments come after Beijing and Canberra resumed bilateral economic talks in September after a seven-year hiatus.