'We support the status quo': Australia's Albanese on Taiwan
:: July 13, 2025
:: Shanghai, China
:: Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister
"I think it's important that we have a consistent position which Australia has had for a long period of time. We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan, we don't support any unilateral action there. We have a clear position, and we have been consistent about that. What's important when it comes to international relationships is that you have a stable, orderly, coherent position going forward. Australia does. We want peace and security in our region. 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."
The Financial Times reported on Saturday (July 12) that Elbridge Colby, the U.S. under-secretary of defense for policy, has been pushing Australian and Japanese officials on what they would do in a Taiwan conflict, although the U.S. does not offer a blank check guarantee to defend Taiwan.
China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
Security is expected to be on the agenda when Albanese meets China's leaders this week.
After his arrival in Shanghai, Albanese watched on as Tourism Australia and Trip.com Group signed a memorandum of understanding that will promote Australia as a premier tourist destination for Chinese travelers.
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