China-Russia remark by Britain’s Liz Truss ‘nothing short of demented’, Australia’s ex-PM Paul Keating says
- The British foreign secretary told The Sydney Morning Herald Beijing may use a Russian invasion of Ukraine as a chance to launch its own aggression
- Keating, who has pushed for more engagement with China, said Britain ‘does not add up to a row of beans’ in regards to East Asia
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’ assertion that China might use a Russian invasion of Ukraine as an opportunity to launch aggression of its own in the Indo-Pacific has sparked debate in Australia, with a former prime minister calling Truss’ remarks “nothing short of demented”.
Leading the criticism, Paul Keating, in a weekend op-ed, said her remarks after a bilateral security and defence meeting were “not simply irrational, demented”.
His comments follow a speech he gave at the National Press Club in Canberra in November in which the former leader, prime minister from 1991 to 1996, criticised the Australian government for leading its people “astray” on China and for formulating a plan to buy nuclear-powered submarines under a new security alliance with the UK and US.
His speech attracted a rebuke from Australian prime minister Scott Morrison who called it “out of line” with national policy.
During an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Truss was reported to warn that China could use a Russian invasion as an opportunity to launch its own aggression.
“I don’t think we can rule that out,” Truss said. “Russia is working more closely with China than it ever has. Aggressors are working in concert and I think it’s incumbent on countries like ours to work together.”
On Monday, the US asked families of its diplomats to leave Ukraine ahead of a potential Russian invasion and Britain began withdrawing staff from its embassy in Ukraine.