Panelists at a forum in Canberra yesterday stressed the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and that Australia does not support Chinese aggression toward Taiwan.
At the KAS Australia and the Pacific Security Conference, hosted by the Australian branch of the German think tank Konrad Adenauer Foundation, experts from Australia, Europe and Pacific nations discussed a wide range of topics such as regional security, climate change and emerging technologies, with the support of Deakin University’s Centre for Future Defence and National Security, the Australian Institute of International Affairs and the National Security College at the Australian National University.
Speaking at the opening of the forum, German lawmaker Nicolas Zippelius emphasized Germany’s increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region to promote human rights, democracy and peace.
Photo: CNA
Japanese Ambassador to Australia Kazuhiro Suzuki reiterated his country’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, highlighting Japan’s efforts to strengthen bonds with other countries in the region with a focus on maritime security and law enforcement.
In the first panel, “Regional Security Dynamics and their Ripple Effects,” several Australian experts discussed the importance of the Taiwan Strait.
Jennifer Parker, an expert associate at the National Security College and former director of operations in the Royal Australian Navy, emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in international waters such as the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan is important in all aspects, not just economically, she said.
While China has the right to conduct military exercises, Beijing’s provocative rhetoric about punishing separatists does not lessen tensions, she said.
Although Australia has no official position on Taiwan’s participation in the region, Australia does not support China’s aggression toward the nation, she added.
In August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held bilateral talks where they reaffirmed the importance of cross-strait peace and stability, expressed concerns over rising tensions in the region and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues without force or coercion.
MILITARY AID: Taiwan has received a first batch of US long-range tactical missiles ahead of schedule, with a second shipment expected to be delivered by 2026 The US’ early delivery of long-range tactical ballistic missiles to Taiwan last month carries political and strategic significance, a military source said yesterday. According to the Ministry of National Defense’s budget report, the batch of military hardware from the US, including 11 sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 64 MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, had been scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan between the end of this year and the beginning of next year. However, the first batch arrived last month, earlier than scheduled, with the second batch —18 sets of HIMARS, 20 MGM-140 missiles and 864 M30
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
Residents have called on the Taipei City Government to reconsider its plan to demolish a four-decades-old pedestrian overpass near Daan Forest Park. The 42-year-old concrete and steel structure that serves as an elevated walkway over the intersection of Heping and Xinsheng roads is to be closed on Tuesday in preparation for demolition slated for completion by the end of the month. However, in recent days some local residents have been protesting the planned destruction of the intersection overpass that is rendered more poetically as “sky bridge” in Chinese. “This bridge carries the community’s collective memory,” said a man surnamed Chuang
Representative to the US Alexander Yui delivered a letter from the government to US president-elect Donald Trump during a meeting with a former Trump administration official, CNN reported yesterday. Yui on Thursday met with former US national security adviser Robert O’Brien over a private lunch in Salt Lake City, Utah, with US Representative Chris Stewart, the Web site of the US cable news channel reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. “During that lunch the letter was passed along, and then shared with Trump, two of the sources said,” CNN said. O’Brien declined to comment on the lunch, as did the Taipei