Original article by Joe Kelly, Dennis Shanahan
The Australian – Page: 1 & 2 : 9-Sep-26

China’s President Xi Jinping has repeatedly made it clear that the reunification of Taiwan is a priority. However, former federal bureaucrat Michael Thawley says the key issue for both Australia and the US is not whether China will invade Taiwan but whether China will attack Japan if the latter decides to support Taiwan in the event of a conflict. Thawley was Australia’s ambassador to the US at the time of the 11 September terrorist attacks in 2001. Tom Schieffer, who was America’s ambassador to Australia at the time, says the two nations must prepare for an even more aggressive China. He adds that the AUKUS defence alliance will change the "strategic balance" in the Pacific region.

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