"Taiwan is always part of China, but war with Australia is a fallacy" - Sydney Morning Herald

[hansioux]

Just to be clear, I don’t think freedom of the press means people are free to spread false information. Media organizations aren’t just platforms for everyone to say anything. Prior to the eras of social media and 24 hour news, the media have historically also acted like a curator and only publish things after injecting some perspective. It will report on what Russia and China said about the US, but will comment on it and provide proof where Communists’ claims got wrong. To let obvious falsehoods like “Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times” publish to the public without being commented on, that’s not freedom of the press, that’s just being a mouth piece.

[DrewC]

Isn’t this the same knob who was talking about re-education camps, and how the Japanese are Australia’s true enemies as if the year was 1943?

[justintaiwan]

Ummm I’m not sure about that exact situation but he is a knob. I’ve seen a few of his interviews and press conferences. He’s always a knob and very good at sticking to the CCP narrative precisely, even when it doesn’t make sense.
Typical politician too, can’t answer a question with a straight answer. I guess east and west politicians both have that in common

[Dr_Milker]

Taiwan attacked by supposed guard dog of Australian democracy | Taiwan News |...

[TT]

Look at that photo caption

[Dr_Milker]

@TT

Look at that photo caption

It’s in the article too…oops.

[justintaiwan]

The part where it undercuts his argument is that Australians are culturally and politically distinct from the United Kingdom, and became an independent country only in 1901. To put this in perspective, debatably, aside from 1945-1949, Taiwan has maintained far fewer cultural or political ties to China since 1895 than Australia did to the U.K. - I have often thought this.

Something that really frustrates me in Taiwan is how an article that has nothing to do with the US, has to make an unnecessary mention that the US agrees with xyz. Who gives a F, the article is about Australia, China and Taiwan.

So, today, many countries, including the United States, hold that sovereignty over Taiwan is “undetermined."- who cares what the US thinks, this isn’t about the US.

[Ducked]

@MikeN1

In 1945, the Chinese government announced it was resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and the ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in Taiwan Province of the China war theatre of the Allied powers was held in Taibei (Taipei). From then on, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of documents with international legal effect.

In 1949, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded, becoming the successor to the Republic of China, and the Central People’s Government became the only legitimate government of the whole of China. The new government replaced the previous regime in a situation where China, as a subject under international law, did not change, and China’s sovereignty and inherent territory did not change.

Seems a pretty straightforward statement of the Chinese position. The ROC may disagree.

They seem to be using an unusual definition of “de facto”. Mostly, the Lion in Winter definition “Its got my troops all over it. That makes it mine” seems to be the standard, rather than “documents with international legal effect.”

The Lion in Winter (1968) Scene Clip #2 - King Henry meets Prince Philip - Film Studies Qtly Review

Of course they may revert to that.

[Explant]

@ChewDawg

@Dr_Milker

The Sydney Morning Herald shouldn’t be providing a megaphone for PRC propaganda.

I expect it from their public broadcasting arm–it’s more Red than dead Madame Mao’s panties.

Hawke stood up to China in terms of allowing students to stay in the country after 1989. Sir Joh formed very good relations with Japanese decades before lots of jurisdictions opened up to Asian investment. I think Australia will stand up to China while hopefully diversifying its commodity exports.

Red, Dead, Madame Mao’s Panties

Has a nice ring to it!