The French-Australian joint statement intervenes with experts on the Taiwan Strait issue: it will further aggravate the complexity of the regional situation

　　[Global Times special correspondent in France and Australia, special correspondent Yu Chaofan Daqiao Global Times reporter Zhao Shuang Zhang Han] Australia and France "2+2" ministerial talks issued a joint statement on January 31, stating that the two countries will work together for Ukraine Provides thousands of rounds of 155 mm caliber shells.

At the same time, the joint statement mentioned the cooperation between France and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region and included the Taiwan Strait issue.

Experts interviewed by the "Global Times" reporter believe that the increase in China-related expressions in the French-Australian joint statement is another declaration of the identity of the US ally.

Under the influence of the U.S. factor and the Ukraine crisis, France and Australia are trying to exert influence in the security field as "important countries in the Indo-Pacific region". They should aim to promote regional cooperation and maintain regional stability, and insist on the situation in the Taiwan Strait. It is detrimental to the region and the region.

　　According to a Reuters report on January 31, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marrs and Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian, who are visiting France, held "2+2" ministerial talks with French Defense Minister Le Corny and Foreign Minister Colonna.

In addition to the focus on joint production of "thousands of rounds" of 155mm shells by France and Australia, defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is also one of the main topics.

Australian Defense Minister Mars said that "(France-Australia) bilateral relations are heating up" and looked forward to a deeper defense-military partnership between the two countries and more joint exercises and military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

France has been seeking to strengthen its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region in recent years by cooperating with regional countries.

　　Australia's "The Age" reported that Mars proposed that France is one of Australia's closest neighbors in the Pacific region. The distance between French New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France, and Norfolk Island, Australia is less than 700 kilometers.

"France is a liberal democracy in the Indo-Pacific with a global vision governed by a global rules-based order," he said. "In that sense, as our closest neighbour, France really stands between Australia and any the pinnacle of relations between nations."

　　However, Australian media said that there are still differences between the two countries on defense cooperation.

France still hopes to export conventionally powered submarines to Australia before Australia acquires nuclear submarines from the United Kingdom and the United States.

To this, Mars gave a negative answer.

　　In the joint statement released after the meeting, the two sides reached agreement on military aid to Ukraine, ecological transformation, and military cooperation.

In addition, the statement talked extensively about the cooperation between France and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, including supply chain security, maritime security, climate change and other fields, and reiterated its support for the centrality of ASEAN and the regional architecture led by ASEAN.

In addition, the statement also rarely mentioned the Taiwan Strait issue in the "Indo-Pacific region", emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue without the use of force or coercion; reaffirmed our common opposition to unilateral Change the status quo; commit to working together to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations where "national status is not a prerequisite"; reaffirm to continue to deepen relations with Taiwan in the economic, scientific, trade, technological, and cultural fields.

　　In addition, the statement read: "Ministers recognize the critical importance of continuing cooperation with China on global issues of mutual concern such as addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, food security and debt relief for the most vulnerable countries."

　　Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, said in an interview with a reporter from the Global Times on January 31 that the France-Australia joint statement has increased its expression of China-related issues compared with the past, and the added content is in line with the US and the West. It is equivalent to declaring one's position according to the American script.

However, although Australia has its interest concerns or strategic considerations, it cannot harm China's core interests.

　　Chen Hong said that after the United States launched the "Indo-Pacific Strategy", it has always hoped to introduce European power into the Indo-Pacific region, and Australia, an important country in the region, has played a role as a springboard.

For example, he said that Mars will go to the United States next, and Huang Yingxian also has other European trips. During this period, apart from the Ukraine issue, another focus is to introduce some European forces into the Indo-Pacific region.

　　Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times reporter that from a bilateral perspective, France and Australia hope to further ease the bilateral relations affected by "Ocus" through this "2+2" ministerial meeting. From the French side, it expects to advance its "Indo-Pacific strategy" by strengthening its relationship with Australia.

In this context, the French-Australian joint statement mentioned the Taiwan issue to express concern about the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

At this point, France and Australia are both affected by the crisis in the United States and Ukraine, and the two countries believe that as important countries in the Indo-Pacific region, they need to maintain influence in the security of the region.

　　However, Cui Hongjian emphasized that France and some countries that have launched the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" must coordinate but cannot use the so-called "Taiwan Strait tension" as an excuse.

Irresponsible statements on Taiwan-related issues will not only interfere with these countries' relations with China, but will further aggravate the complexity of the regional situation.

(Global Times)