Australia must send 'clear message' to China and 'stand' with United States on Taiwan position, claims Pauline Hanson
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday wrapped up his second diplomatic trip to China where he held talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior leaders.
The Prime Minister's visit comes as Taiwan conducts its largest ever defence drills and live-fire exercises, which the island holds annually in preparation of a possible Chinese invasion.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop joined Rowan Dean on Friday night for Sky News Australia's program The World According to Rowan Dean. The latest episode is available to watch now, and new episodes are out every Friday, for SkyNews.com.au subscribers.
During his China visit, Mr Albanese reiterated Australia's support for "the status quo" as he was was quizzed by reporters on the government's position regarding Taiwanese independence.
However, the Coalition fears Labor has shown weakness on the matter as the Opposition claimed "peace through deterrence is incredibly important" regarding Taiwan.
In an interview on The World According to Rowan Dean on Friday night, Ms Hanson said Australia must "stand by America" in the scenario of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
"We have the AUKUS agreement ... We need to be seen that we are supporting Taiwan, which is a democratic country, and should not be taken over by China," Ms Hanson said.
"I think a clear message should be sent to China (that) we're not going to stand for it, and we will stand united with the United States, and hopefully they'll defend Taiwan being taken over from China."
Ms Hanson's comments come after Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor denied a shift in the Coalition's stance on Australia's potential response to an invasion of Taiwan, pushing back on claims his recent comments represented a departure from long-held principles.
Joining the panel debate on Friday night, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop said Australia's statement on Taiwan should be "aligned with the United States".
"I think the United States policy will probably remain pretty much the way it is, but that doesn't mean to say that there won't be ships, aircraft, all sorts of things put in to make sure that people know that there's an intent," she told host Rowan Dean.
Earlier this week, Mr Albanese expressed support for the One China policy as he was asked about a local media report following his closed-door meeting with President Xi.
"I agreed that Australia has had a long-standing bipartisan position that has supported the One China policy. That is our position," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday.
"That's been the position of governments for a long period of time in Australia and is still the bipartisan position in Australia.
"By definition, we don't support any unilateral action on Taiwan."
Australia's interpretation of the One China policy - which recognises Beijing as the sole legal government of China - does not include acknowledging sovereignty over Taiwan, nor does it oppose Taiwanese independence.
Mr Albanese's China trip comes amid heightened scrutiny over move to prioritise a second official visit to Beijing before he locks in a meeting with President Donald Trump in the US.
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