(MENAFN) Amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, the leader of Australia's opposition has urged people to "cut through the propaganda" coming from China and understand the "real message" that an attack on Taiwan is a real possibility.
“Nobody should be surprised if there is an incursion or if there is a conflict because [the Chinese] said they’d be taking back Taiwan, come hell or high water,” Peter Dutton, who earlier worked as defense minister, informed ABC Radio National on Thursday.
He also highlighted that “we want to see peace prevail in our region. But at the same time, we have to be very frank about the threat that is there.”
“There’s no imagination required here. The Chinese Communist Party has been very clear about their intent in relation to Taiwan,” Dutton stated, while emphasizing that Australia has to “call out the behavior” of Beijing.
“If we think it’s going away and that we can avoid conflict by saying nothing - I just don’t think that’s a reality.”
Dutton stated that he agreed with the earlier statements made by Australia's Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who stated that Beijing must be addressed in "calm and consistent language" regarding Taiwan.
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