‘All necessary measures’: Ambassador’s chilling Taiwan statement

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China’s ambassador to Australia has taken a tougher stance on Taiwan than ever before, warning that “a lot of work needs to be done” to mend relations with China.

In his first speech at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Ambassador Xiao Chen said U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan represented a “grave violation” of his country’s one-China principle. said that

Xiao was bullish after a speech about China’s new white paper on Taiwan, which said the Chinese government “will not renounce the use of force and reserves the option of taking all necessary measures.”

He also rejected the use of the phrase “China’s invasion of Taiwan” by journalists.

“Taiwan is different from other scenarios and situations,” he said.

“Not an independent country. Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China.

“Reunification, complete unification, and Taiwan’s return to the motherland.”

Since Pelosi’s visit last week, Beijing has launched 11 ballistic missiles at Taiwan. It also carried out a mock attack, which the Taiwanese government calls a test of aggression.

“[Ms Pelosi’s visit] It seriously undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and sends a grave false signal to the separatist forces for so-called Taiwan independence,” the ambassador said.

“The Chinese side is taking action in response to the actions of the US side, and our aim is to send a message.

“The reaction is justified, justified, and there is no reason to condemn it. As for how long the military exercises and training will continue … I think there will be an announcement at the appropriate time.

“There is no room for compromise.”

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and threatens to annex it by force if necessary. After the civil war, the two split in 1949.

“China is very patient and has been waiting for decades. We are waiting for peaceful reunification,” Xiao said.

“But we … can never rule out the option of using other means, so we are ready to use all necessary means if necessary, if compelled.” What do you mean by ‘necessary means’? You can use your imagination. ”

Xiao also said China’s relationship with Australia was still at a critical crossroads. He said Canberra needs to stop its provocative actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait while China offers to cooperate.

“China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence,” he said.

“The development of China-Australia relations is at a critical juncture.

“It is imperative that the two governments adopt mutually positive policies and take positive and concrete steps to improve the atmosphere of cooperation.”

Xiao said the regime change provided an opportunity to reset bilateral relations.

But he dismissed acts of aggression, downplaying sanctions against Australian goods and laser attacks on Australian aircraft during free flight in the South China Sea.

“It’s like you’re in the house or on the premises and someone is driving and has a gun and is trying to peek out the window to see what you’re doing with your family,” Xiao said. said.

“You will feel threatened and you will feel uncomfortable. So you have to come out and at least tell those people to keep their distance.”

Shao said the previous coalition government’s decision to bar Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE from 5G networks over security advice angered Chinese firms and raised concerns about doing business in Australia. .

“I don’t like to use the word ‘sanctions,'” he said.

“Just like you go to a store and buy something and get offended, you might not be satisfied there and think about going to another store that offers a similar product.

“[Chinese companies] What happened to Huawei and ZTE, what will happen to me tomorrow? There was also. ”

Mr. Xiao’s defense of China’s recent military exercises in Taiwan comes hours after Acting Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marls again called for de-escalation in the Taiwan Strait.

“The more exercises of this kind, the greater the risk of miscalculation.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the world did not want the carnage seen in Ukraine to be repeated in Taiwan.

“If we don’t shine a spotlight on the activities and actions of figures like Putin and Xi Jinping, we will be embroiled in conflict in the region.”

China has not ruled out the possibility of occupying Taiwan by force, and Xiao added that in the future there may be a process of educating the people of Taiwan “so that China understands the motherland correctly.”

He said it was unlikely that Xi would meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Bali later this year unless rhetoric against China was eased.

“If you speak ill of me, why should I see you? do i have to meet

“We hope that a high-level meeting will help build more positive relationships instead of making them worse.”

-with AAP