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‘Phenomenal’: Peter Dutton’s stern words for China’s President Xi

Courtney GouldNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Peter Dutton has slammed China for its “over the top” response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

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.

Beijing claims Ms Pelosi's visit was a breach of the country’s “One China” policy.

Australia, Japan and the US have come under fire from Beijing for making what it believes are “absolutely unacceptable” statements, including criticising China’s response in a joint statement.

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Speaking to reporters in Brisbane, the Opposition Leader said Beijing’s actions were “deeply concerning”.

“Nobody wants to see conflict or war. We want to see peace in our region, but the acts of aggression from China at the moment are quite phenomenal,” he said.

DUTTON PRESSER
Camera IconPeter Dutton has slammed Beijing’s ‘disproportionate’ response.: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia

The reaction from President Xi Jinping was “widely disproportionate” considering “nobody” was advocating for a shift from the “One China” policy, he said.

While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to offer a view on the Speaker‘s trip, Mr Dutton said he was “pleased” she took up the offer.

Mr Dutton said he would “contemplate” any offer to visit Taipei but concluded he would be ”better off” to not involve himself in ”political stunts”.

Earlier, China’s embassy in Canberra lashed the government for butting in on “justified actions” Beijing took to “safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

But Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Monday brushed aside the attack, calling for all parties to “lower the temperature”.

“What is most critical at the moment is that the temperature is lowered and calm is restored when it comes to cross-strait tensions,” she told reporters in Canberra.

“Australia continues to urge de-escalation and this is not something that solely Australia is calling for. The whole region is concerned about the current situation.”

PENNY WONG PRESSER
Camera IconPenny Wong has again called for calm on China. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

Ms Pelosi was the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island that China claims is its own in 25 years.

The government has not had contact with its Taiwanese counterparts in the wake of recent tensions.

Asked if she would make contact down the track, the Foreign Minister responded: “I think our public statements are clear.”

Speaking alongside Senator Wong in Canberra, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics backed the call for restraint and warned Russia was watching closely.

“It is very important that we work together and we provide the same kind of message of the need to have restraint, not to overreact … and not to create another regional and global hotspot,” Mr Rinkevics said.

Originally published as ‘Phenomenal’: Peter Dutton’s stern words for China’s President Xi

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