Home

Beijing erupts after Penny Wong ‘points the finger’ over Taiwan

Ellen RansleyNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

China has declared itself the victim and has hit out at Australia’s “finger-pointing” as tensions escalate in the Taiwan Strait.

China has fired at least 11 ballistic missiles towards Taiwan and Japan in the wake of a historic overnight visit from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined her US and Japanese counterparts in condemning the actions in a joint statement, saying China’s actions “gravely affect international peace and stability”.

But Beijing says it is “seriously concerned” about the blame-game being played by the foreign ministers of the three countries.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

In a statement from the Chinese Embassy, a spokesperson said it was “absolutely unacceptable for the finger-pointing on China’s justified actions to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

“We firmly oppose and sternly condemn this,” the spokespersons aid.

“It is the US that should be condemned. China is the victim of political provocation from the US.

“Instead of expressing sympathy and support to the victim, the Australia side has condemned the victim along with the perpetrators. This is completely putting the cart before the horse and reversing the right from the wrong.”

Last week, Senator Wong, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said China’s deployment of ballistic missiles raised tensions and destabilised the region.

lambie
Camera IconSenator Jacqui Lambie says Australia’s majors need to ‘have more courage’ in standing up to China. Nikki Davis-Jones Credit: News Corp Australia

Earlier, Jacqui Lambie issued a warning to Australia’s military leaders, telling them to “show some courage” and stop “tap-dancing” around the China issue.

Senator Lambie applauded Ms Pelosi for “having the courage” to go into Taiwan, and slammed China for sticking its chest out once again.

“Every time China does not like something some other country is doing, it wants to stick its chest out. It is starting to get wearing, to be honest,” Senator Lambie told the Nine Network.

“What I would like to do, I say this to the majors again, in the next Senate sitting, I am coming with the motion that (former senator) Rex Patrick and I have tried to put up six times to investigate what is going on with China across the board.

“It is time to show some courage. It is time to stop tiptoeing around China and actually start doing what needs to be done in this country … I’m getting sick of it.”

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia remained committed to maintaining the “status quo” when it came to China.

“We need to stay the course that we’re on, which is to seek co-operation and positive relations with China where we can, but stand up for Australian values and Australian national interests where we must,” Mr Albanese said on Friday.

Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek on Monday morning backed in Senator Wong.

“Penny Wong has been clear in her message that we need to reduce tensions … It is a complete over-reaction (from China),” she told Channel 7.

Originally published as Beijing erupts after Penny Wong ‘points the finger’ over Taiwan

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails