The chair of the Senate's foreign affairs committee believes Australia would be "duty bound" to help defend Taiwan in a war with China and is pushing for "full diplomatic relations" with the democratic island amid growing military tensions.
Key points:
- A Liberal senator has called for the end of Australia's 'One China' policy
- He says Australia has a duty to protect other like-minded democracies
- Taiwan has called on Australia and other nations to defend it if China attacks
In an escalation of his recent criticisms of Beijing, Liberal Senator Eric Abetz argued Australia should overturn its long-standing and bipartisan "One China" policy, even if it angers this country's largest trading partner.
"I would like to see full diplomatic relations between Australia and Taiwan," Senator Abetz has told the ABC.
"The reason we don't have them is that the belligerent dictatorship from Beijing says if you do then that means you can't have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China".
Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, but the federal government regularly calls for a "peaceful resolution" of differences between China and the small independent nation through dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion.
Earlier this month, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warned the self-governed territory was preparing for war with China and appealed for support from Australia and other nations.
The warning has been echoed this week by Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, who said the threat posed by China was "increasing every day" and Senator Abetz believes if a war were to begin, Australia would be obliged to help a fellow democracy.
"My hope and prayer would be that that never occurs, but one thing Australia has been exceptionally good at is defending our mates and our mates are those that believe in democracy, freedom, the rule of law," Senator Abetz said.
"That is how Taiwan operates, their political, legal culture is so similar to ours, and we are duty bound to protect those who share similar values."
On the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Australian Office in Taipei, Senator Abetz has also suggested a Free Trade Agreement should be struck between both nations.
At an event on Tuesday night to celebrate the milestone, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Australia for standing up for the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
"Taiwan and Australia are both committed to upholding security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she said.
"Taiwan remains committed to working with our Australian colleagues to safeguard our region and uphold our shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law."