China’s aggression in Indo-Pacific leads to ‘concern and angst’: Peter Dutton, Australia’s leader of opposition
Peter Craig Dutton — has expressed concerns around Beijing’s “level of aggression” in the Indo-Pacific.
Dutton himself is in India for a four-day visit for the ongoing Economic Trade Delegation Summit which began on November 1, 2023.
Responding to a question on China, Dutton said, “There is a level of aggression (by China) that causes a lot of concern and angst because in the end, what we all desire is for continued peace in the Indo-Pacific.”
Dutton underlined India’s “experience on the land border” with China, and Phillippines’ experience in the South China Sea while speaking about China’s actions.
Dutton’s comments come close on the heels of the Australian PM’s four-day visit to China for the 6th China International Import Expo.
He added, “We want to make sure the trading relationship (Australia-China) can continue to prosper but Australia should never shed out values or step back from arguing for what we believe is right and just.”
According to the Australian Government’s official media release, Australian PM Anthony Albanese will be meeting with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.
Professor Rory Medcalf, head, National Security College, Australian National University tells ET online, «The visit to China by the Australian PM has the modest objective of stabilisation — predictability and dialogue, but without trust or deep partnership.»
“After China’s economic coercion and assertiveness, there’s no going back to the naive diplomacy of earlier times,” Medcalf asserts.
Back in August, Australia and China held an annual consular consultation with Chinese officials in Beijing after a gap of five years.
