Australian politicians have dismissed Beijing’s claims it is “playing with fire” and undermining efforts to repair Australia-China relations after a delegation of six bipartisan MPs arrived in Taiwan.
The Global Times, a mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), published an opinion article saying the visit will “cast a shadow” on Australia’s improving relationship with China and shows support for “Taiwan independence.”
The six backbenchers, including former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, Labor’s Meryl Swanson and Libby Coker, and the Coalition’s Scott Buchholz, Terry Young, and Gavin Pearce, arrived in Taiwan on Dec. 5.
They met Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-Chung for talks expected to cover Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agree­ment for trans-­Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the world’s biggest trading blocs….