In a wide-ranging speech in Taiwan’s capital, former prime minister Scott Morrison has made the provocative argument for “a modernised One China framework”.
Key points:
- Scott Morrison argued Taiwan and any potential conflict over it stands above even Ukraine
- Mr Morrison said it was time for a modernisation of the One China policy
- China’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian criticised Mr Morrison for going to Taiwan
Mr Morrison is in Taipei speaking at the Yushan Forum — joining Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, Nauru’s President Russ Kun and former US ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft.
He also attended Taiwan’s National Day celebrations on Tuesday, and was given an hour-long meeting with the president and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu that afternoon.
In a speech on Wednesday night, at a dinner hosted by Mr Wu, Mr Morrison argued Taiwan and any potential conflict over it stands above even Ukraine.
“No place could be more central to the cause of liberty and democracy, at this time, than Taiwan, including even Ukraine, where war continues to rage,” he said.
“When my government took the decision for Australia to swiftly provide lethal support to assist Ukraine, following the illegal invasion by Russia, this was as much a decision to support Ukraine, as it was to demonstrate our alignment with a global western resolve to resist the aggression of authoritarianism, especially given the tacit endorsement of the invasion by Beijing, that continues to this day.
“I was as concerned about Beijing as I was about Moscow.”
Taiwan is a self-governed democracy that has never been ruled by China’s current communist government.
Despite this, China still claims Taiwan as part of its territory, calling the ruling Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) separatists, and hasn’t ruled out using force to achieve reunification.
Morrison calls for modernisation of One China policy
Mr Morrison argued that it was time for a modernisation of the One China policy — under which Australia acknowledges but does not recognise China’s claim to Taiwan.
“This appraisal should challenge the justice of denying the people of Taiwan, who have expressed a clear preference for freedom through the success of their representative democracy, greater certainty over their autonomy and the opportunity to participate more fully in global and regional affairs,” he said.
“This means positively broadening the scope and nature of our unofficial relations with Taiwan, both bilaterally and multilaterally in non political, humanitarian, scientific and trade arenas, within a modernised One China framework.”
He added this would include Taiwan’s entry to the CPTPP, Interpol, ICAO, the WHO and other UN forums — as well as non-member engagement with the QUAD.
Dr Benjamin Herscovitch from the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific agreed the Albanese government could pursue a far more ambitious agenda with Taiwan.
He said this would include restarting free trade negotiations, supporting Taiwan’s bid to join the CPTPP and facilitating ministerial visits to the island.
“However, Mr Morrison’s suggestions contrast conspicuously with the Coalition’s recent track record on Australia-Taiwan ties,” Dr Herscovitch said.
“Despite using stronger diplomatic language on Taiwan and advocating for Taiwanese participation in the World Health Assembly, Coalition governments after 2013 were reluctant to pursue some forms of engagement with Taipei.
“The Turnbull government abandoned a bilateral FTA with Taiwan, reportedly under pressure from Beijing. The Morrison government then took a cautious approach to Taipei’s bid to join the CPTPP.”
China’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian on Wednesday criticised Mr Morrison for going to Taiwan.
“We appreciate that each and every government in this country has publicly stated they are committed to the One China policy,” he said.
“And we hope this policy will be practised not only in words but also in deeds.”
Morrison warns ‘appeasement’ of China
Mr Morrison also warned against any ‘appeasement’ of China, in what could be considered advice for the Albanese government, which has pledged to “stabilise” ties with Beijing.
During the term of the Morrison government, relations with China hit an all time low, with tariffs and unofficial bans placed on several Australian commodities including coal, wine, barley and lobster, and official communications all but completely ceasing.
“I welcome the fact that Australia and the PRC (People’s Republic of China) are talking once again,” he said.
“However, I note Beijing has not walked back any of their stated grievances with Australia, which included our commitment to freedom of speech, our free press and the sovereign right to make and enforce laws about foreign investment and national security.
“And while their removal of some illegal trade sanctions is welcome, this is something that should be expected, not commended, and certainly not haggled for — to do so, demeans the sacrifice Australians made to stand up for our own freedom and sovereignty.”
Mr Morrison argued for active deterrence of China — suggesting his government suffered for their willingness to stand up to Beijing.
“Some will also argue that updating our understanding of the status quo regarding Taiwan and our One China policy settings risks provoking the PRC and injuring the fragile stability that has been achieved over the past 50 years,” he said.
“Perhaps — but such criticism confesses to the PRC being an aggressor that needs to be appeased through One China policy settings, rather than actively deterred.
“To those who think deterrent is a provocation, this view indulges the fantasy that China plays by the same rules and shares a similar perspective. They do not … the PRC will continue to push the boundaries until someone is prepared to say no.”
Dr Herscovitch said that while it’s unsurprising Beijing would take a “dour view” of Mr Morrison’s comments, the Chinese government is unlikely to be particularly concerned, coming from an opposition backbencher — albeit one who is a former prime minister.
Finally, Mr Morrison made a plea to Taiwan to more urgently address its deterrence to China, as well as strengthen its resilience to survive a blockade.
Taiwan’s military is enormously outnumbered by China’s People’s Liberation Army, and it’s widely understood the self-governed island would need the US, and potentially its allies, to help defend itself in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Recently, Taiwan launched its first locally built submarine, which President Tsai highlighted in her National Day speech on Tuesday, and from next year compulsory military service will be increased from four to 12 months for young men.
“Israel is an even smaller nation than Taiwan and likewise lives under constant threat, but spends considerably more proportionately on its defence,” Mr Morrison said.
The ABC has contacted Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.