【Text by Observer Net, Zhang Jingjuan】After the United States was exposed to pressure on the Taiwan Strait issue in Australia, the Australian Minister for Defence Industry directly refused to address the U.S. "hypothetical" question, but the Australian opposition quickly jumped out, urging the government to make commitments to Taiwan's security.

According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on the 15th, Australian shadow defense minister Taylor (Angus Taylor) said during a political interview program "7.30" that Australia should make a "principled commitment" to Taiwan's security and be prepared to take action in certain situations.

Taylor claimed that Australia should jointly commit with its allies to safeguard Taiwan's security, and it is extremely important to maintain peace through deterrence. "This does indeed mean that you must be prepared to take action in certain situations," he said.

He stated that although "it is impossible to legally predefine the way conflicts will unfold," "as part of the alliance, principled commitments can be made." "This means close cooperation with allies in the Taiwan Strait to ensure Taiwan's security... and this commitment should become the core of the AUKUS strategy."

The Financial Times of the UK reported last week (on the 11th) that sources cited the Pentagon urging Japan and Australia to clearly state what role they would play if a conflict broke out in the Taiwan Strait.

Informed sources revealed that for several months, the Pentagon has been pushing this issue in talks with Japanese and Australian defense officials. The main proponent is Elbridge Colby, the third-highest-ranking official at the Pentagon, responsible for policy affairs.

Taylor ABC

Colby also raised some old issues in the meetings with Japanese and Australian defense officials, such as persuading allies to increase defense spending.

Australian Defense Minister Hegseth (Peter Hegseth) has asked Australia to raise its military spending to 3.5% of GDP, but reports indicate that the Australian government currently only plans to increase military spending to 2.3% over the next few years, still far below the U.S. request.

In response, Taylor again urged the government to respond to the U.S. call for increased defense spending and strengthen its commitment to Taiwan's security.

"These are commitments that need to be made. As far as we know, these commitments have not been fulfilled," he said. "If Australia is making these commitments, it is being done in secret."

Taylor made these remarks as Australian Prime Minister Albanese is visiting China for a six-day trip. This is Albanese's second visit to China since taking office in 2022, and his first visit to China after re-election as prime minister in May this year.

Regarding the Taiwan issue, Albanese stated that Australia adheres to the One-China Policy and does not support "Taiwan independence."

Previously, facing U.S. pressure, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Conroy (Pat Conroy) also stated that Australia would refuse any U.S. request for participation in a "hypothetical" conflict with China, and would not make any commitments in advance.

He said that the decision on whether Australia participates in a war or allows its territory to be used in a conflict is solely up to the elected government at the time. "This is our position. Sovereignty is always the priority, and this position will not change."

Regarding the U.S. and its allies attempting to interfere in the Taiwan Strait issue, China has made multiple clear statements.

This April, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Guo Jia Kun, stated that the Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and is not subject to foreign interference. Guo Jia Kun emphasized that as long as "Taiwan independence" provocation continues, countermeasures against "Taiwan independence" will never stop. We will not allow anyone or any force to split Taiwan from China in any way, and will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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