Newly elected Liberal leader Peter Dutton has doubled down on his strong statements towards Beijing and said China’s rise was the “biggest issue” Australia will face in the future.
Mr Dutton, who was flanked by his new deputy Sussan Ley, resumed his attack on a more assertive China following his unopposed election as Liberal Party leader on Monday.
“The issue of China under President Xi is the biggest issue our country will face in our lifetimes. That's the reality,” he said. “I want us to have a productive relationship with China. I want it to be restored but that is an issue for China.” He has also said Australians should “prepare for war” during an address on Anzac Day this year, which was lashed by Labor and also Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan.
He said a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan would “change quite dramatically” the region’s security settings, and urged Australians to be “realistic” about President Xi’s agenda.
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