Albanese warned by China after 'irresponsible' act
Beijing kept its warning to Anthony Albanese brief after the Australian prime minister suggested China should take note of the resistance Russia faced when starting a war in Ukraine.
China President Xi Jinping's determination to reunify Taiwan with the mainland has been unwavering, prompting concern from a host of Western countries who have expressed intent to intervene if Beijing forcibly attempts to achieve its goals.
Mr Albanese, while en route to Spain for a NATO meeting, told the Australian Financial Review Vladimir Putin's war shows that "attempts to impose change by force on a sovereign country meet resistance".
Australia is among a host of Western nations to condemn Mr Putin's advances in Ukraine, sending aid and military support to Ukraine while slapping tariffs on Russian exports.
On Wednesday afternoon, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian delivered a blunt message to Mr Albanese.
"We have stressed many times that Taiwan is not Ukraine. A parallel cannot be drawn between them," he told reporters at a daily briefing.
"Taiwan is not a sovereign country.
"We hope relevant politicians will stop making irresponsible remarks."
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Sino-Australian relations are at an alarming low after a torrid two-year period under the Morrison government.
There were early signs the relationship was on course for a reset following Mr Albanese's appointment however both sides have since issued warnings to each other since.
Like former prime minister Scott Morrison, Mr Albanese finds himself in a standoff with Beijing with both countries seeking action from the other to allow the relationship to improve.
Defence Minister Richard Marles did however end a barren stretch for Sino-Australian diplomacy earlier this month when he met with counterpart Wei Fenghe in the first meeting between the two countries in two years.
In recent months China has ramped up its military drills in waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan.
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