Ukraine invasion: Australian PM calls on China to denounce Putin, sanction Russia instead offering ‘economic lifeline’

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday called for China to apply economic sanctions on Russia and denounce Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as other nations in the Indo-Pacific region have done.

Speaking in Sydney at an event organised by the Lowy Institute think tank, Morrison said the invasion presented China’s government with a choice: if Beijing is committed to global peace, there must be more action than just words.

“China’s growing power and influence is a geostrategic fact … what we care about is how Beijing uses its strength.

“At this hinge point in history, [China’s leaders] must demonstrate these are more than just words.”

This should be done by placing economic sanctions on Russia and denouncing Moscow’s actions like other Indo-Pacific powers, according to Morrison.

The Australian leader said, however, he was concerned that China will become an “economic lifeline” to Russia, while noting Beijing’s rhetoric toward the conflict has so far been passive.

China is facing a dilemma over its stance on the Ukraine crisis, as it tries to balance its strategic partnership with Russia with its positioning on the global stage as a nation that respects national sovereignty.

Last week, China’s top banking regulator said it neither supports, nor will it be taking part in Western-led financial sanctions on Russia.

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Instead, it will strive to maintain “normal” trade and financial ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, said Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has also expressed China’s “hope to promote our normal trade” with the warring states.

The US and its allies have been pushing China to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Beijing has refrained from choosing sides and reiterated its stance on the Ukraine “issue” is “based on the merits of the matter concerned”.

Morrison said Australia would not back down from calling out autocratic nations for aggressive behaviour in the region, including China.

“There is no doubt that China has become more assertive and is using its power in ways that are causing concerns across the region and beyond,” he said, highlighting China’s militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea and growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

However, Morrison assured Australian citizens he did not believe tensions with China would in any way escalate in the way they have done between Russia and Ukraine.

He added that while the Ukraine war will be felt keenly in Europe, it will “inevitably” have some impact in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This war of choice by Mr Putin is a reminder that although Australia’s focus is on the Indo-Pacific, events elsewhere can affect our regional security,” he said.