U.S. Request Adds Pressure to Anthony Albanese's Visit to China

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While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was being presented with a personalized Shanghai Port Football Club jersey and enjoying a walk along the iconic Bund waterfront, a message arrived from Washington.

This news was initially presented through a media release.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wearing a white cap with black rabbit on the front, holding up a vivid red soccer jersey with the number 10 and ALBANESE in white lettering on the back. He is standing two other men, one is a Caucasian man wearing a white shirt and burgundy pants, the other a Chinese man wearing a lighter burgundy outfit. In the foreground are cameras taking photos of the trio.

Prime Minister Albanese receiving a Shanghai soccer jersey during his tour of the Bund. Source: SBS News / Anna Henderson

The US itself holds its own policy of strategic ambiguity over the potential to any conflict and the role it would play.

Japan’s defence ministry released a statement saying it was difficult to answer hypothetical questions on the “Taiwan emergency”.

Following the article’s release, the US under secretary for Defense, Elbridge Colby, commented on it via social media. He didn’t challenge the report’s sources, but reinforced the US policy of “peace through strength,” once again calling on allies to boost their defense budgets.

Asked what role Australia would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, the prime minister said: “Our aim of investing in our capability and as well investing in our relationships is about advancing our peace and security in our region. That’s our objective. And that is why we invest in our region.”

This is awkward timing for a debate over Taiwan, coming while Australia’s leader is on a five-day trip to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu to talk trade, tourism, decarbonisation and even a Panda breeding centre.

The main engagement will be a one-on-one meeting between Anthony Albanese and the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

If Australia’s defence policy on Beijing’s long-held ambitions for “reunification” with Taiwan wasn’t yet a key agenda item — it will be now.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a middle aged man with greying hair and dark rimmed rectangular glasses, wearing a dark grey suit, speaking into a black microphone, on an airport tarmac.

Anthony Albanese arrives in Shanghai for his second visit to China as Prime Minister. Source: SBS News / Anna Henderson

Albanese’s Defence Industry Minister was the first to be asked whether Australia would commit to joining the US if it entered a war with China over Taiwanese sovereignty.

Pat Conroy ruled out committing to such a conflict ahead of time, reiterating the government’s longstanding position.

“The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance,” he said.

“Sovereignty will always be prioritised.”

When questioned about Colby’s emphasis on defense spending, Albanese mentioned that Australia was already on track to significantly boost its defense budget, with $57 billion allocated over the next decade.

Anthony Albanese, a middle aged man with glasses, wearing a dark suit, stripes grey, black and white tie, holding a bunch of flowers, walking down a red carpet off a large airplane, surrounded by people.

The red carpet rolled out for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he arrives in Shanghai, China for a diplomatic visit focussing on tourism and defence. Source: SBS News / Anna Henderson

“We have contributed as well to AUKUS already. Going forward, $1 billion being forwarded to help increase the industrial capacity in the United States and we’ll continue to invest in whatever we need to improve our capability,” he said.

Australia’s AUKUS deal is under review in the US and defence spending is a major pressure point. So far Anthony Albanese has resisted putting an increased share of GDP figure forward to appease the White House.