Richard Marles Supports US Warning to China Over Taiwan

On the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major annual security summit held in Singapore, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed support for a recent statement by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. During his address to defence officials from various countries, Austin warned that the United States is ready to 'fight and win decisively' should China attempt to use military force against Taiwan. Marles described Austin’s speech as clear and direct, emphasizing that it aligns with the views of many nations in the Asia-Pacific region. The issue of Taiwan remains a significant point of tension between China and the United States, with the US maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan’s defence. Australia, as a close US ally, has reiterated its commitment to regional stability and the rules-based international order. The Shangri-La Dialogue serves as a platform for defence leaders to discuss security challenges and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.