Morrison Issues Second Warning to Albanese: Beijing to Exploit PM’s Visit

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered his second warning to Anthony Albanese about the risks surrounding his upcoming trip to China.

Mr. Morrison said the Chinese Communist Party could use the trip and spin the narrative to suggest a “backdown” by the Australian government.

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“They will describe it how they will describe it, internally and more broadly. And that’s not something one would ever have control over.”

It comes before Mr. Morrison’s visit to Taiwan on Oct. 11-12 for the Yushan Forum, where former Prime Minister Tony Abbott called Beijing a “bully” two years ago.

Mr. Morrison said speaking at the forum was an opportunity for international engagement in Taiwan, which he described as “totemic” to the peace and security of the entire Indo-Pacific.

“I think it’s really important that I go there and express support, but do so in a practical way,” Mr. Morrison said.

“Because [Taiwan] is the one issue that if not handled well, poses significant threats to the region. But that has to be secured through strength, not appeasement.”

He reinforced his message to the Australian government that it must not use appeasement to deal with the CCP.

Second Warning

Previously, in the Coalition party room, Mr. Morrison raised concerns about the current Labor government’s “acquiescent and concessional approach” towards Beijing, particularly its “keenness” to restore relations.

“Scott told us he continued to be proud at how his government stood up to China and that other countries followed our lead.”

Former Defence Minister Kevin Andrews agreed with Mr. Morrison’s message, similarly warning the Labor prime minister that the CCP propaganda machine could kick into action and paint Mr. Albanese’s trip as Australian “independence” from U.S. influence.

“Any messages about human rights, if delivered by the prime minister, will be neglected by the state media.”

The CCP stopped all diplomatic communications and started an unofficial trade war with the former Morrison government in retaliation for its tough-on-CCP policies, including demanding an independent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The diplomatic freeze thawed after the Albanese Labor government came to power.

Mr. Morrison’s warnings come after Mr. Albanese accepted an invitation from Beijing to visit before the end of the year.

While exact dates have not been set, it is expected to fall near the end of October to mark 50 years since the first diplomatic trip to China by an Australian prime minister, the Labor Party’s Gough Whitlam.