During an address at the National Press Club, ambassador Xiao Qian said the US was to blame for rising tensions around the self-governing island.
Xiao claimed the US “must take full responsibility” for the escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait, calling Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to “China’s Taiwan region” a “serious violation” of the One China principle.
“Speaker Pelosi insisted on visiting the Taiwan region in disregard of China’s strong opposition, making it clear to the world it was the US side who first took provocative action to change and undermine the status quo,” he said.
“China is compelled to take counter-measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is legitimate and justified.”
He said China has been very patient waiting for a “peaceful unification”.
“But … we can never rule out the option to use other means, so when necessary, when compelled, we are ready to use all necessary means,” he said.
Asked to clarify how “all necessary means” should be interpreted, Xiao said: “You can use your imagination.”
China was “absolutely determined” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, insisting that Beijing “will never allow Taiwan to be separated from China.”
“As to what does it mean, (what) ‘all necessary’ means? You can use your imagination.
‘An issue of reunification’
During the address Xiao was asked by reporters what would trigger a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, what kind of military might it could involve and what the impacts could be.
Xiao said he would “rather not use the word ‘invasion’ when we talk about China and Taiwan”.
“Taiwan is different from any other scenario or situation,” he said.
“Taiwan is not an independent state.
“Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China.”
He framed the tensions as an “issue of reunification, complete reunification” and of “Taiwan coming back to the motherland”.
‘China and Australia, we can be friends’
During his address Xiao talked at length about “the much-discussed, much-talked-about” China-Australia relations, saying the two countries can once again “be friends.”
“In the past couple of years, unfortunately, the relationship between China and Australia was caught in a difficult situation due to reasons known to all,” he said.
“This has greatly impacted the bilateral exchange cooperation… and severely damaged the friendship between our two peoples.
The 2022 federal election, which saw Anthony Albanese oust Scott Morrison, had been an opportunity to “reset the relationship” between China and Australia.
He then detailed meetings between ministers from Beijing and Canberra, where he said “encouraging” progress was made.
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He said the West should see China “as a partner rather than a rival”, and then detailed Beijing’s commitment to international agreements and the UN.
“No matter how China develops itself now or in the future, China will never seek hegemony or sphere of influence,” he said.
The development of China-Australia relations was at a critical juncture, he said.
“China’s policy of friendship and cooperation to Australia remains unchanged.”
While the two countries are close, there were obvious differences between China and Australia, Xiao said.
“As an old saying goes, no two leaves are alike,” he said.
“Different as we are, there are no areas where we have fundamental conflicts of interest.”
Both countries should work hard to not allow any differences to obstruct or “hijack” the relationship, Xiao said.
“As we say in China – only the wearer of the shoes knows whether the shoes fit or not.”
Xiao claimed China has no interest in meddling with Australia’s foreign policy, and denied there were moves a foot to set up a military base in the Solomon Islands.