澳洲「每日電訊報」(The Daily Telegraph)以「中國何故派遣軍艦來澳？問台灣即知」(Why is China sending ships our way? Just ask Taiwan)為題，刊登本處吳處長正偉就中國在澳洲外海進行實彈軍演投書，全文如次：
《Why is China sending ships our way? Just ask Taiwan》
Cheng-Wei Wu, Director General of the Taipel Economic and Cultural Office In Sydney
The surprise visit of three Chinese warships just 150 nautical miles east of Sydney serves as a wake-up call, bringing up distant memories of World War II when Australia, a country "girt by sea", was exposed to threat of an authoritarian power's navy suddenly appearing in the nation's waters.
Yet for some time Australian opinion leaders have debated the nature of the China threat.
But the simple fact is, last week Chinese warships conducted live-fire drills in Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the very first time, and from afar. And at least 49 commercial flights flying over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand were forced to change course, after receiving a short-notice verbal warning broadcast from the Chinese warships.
Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that China did not follow the best practice of giving 12 to 24 hours' prior notice and the Australian government has expressed concern to the Chinese government.
There has plenty of analysis in the past few days on the purpose to rationalise China's flagrant military moves. It is worth noting that a comment published by Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece, the Global Times, stated that: "The People's Liberation Army is expected to host more such far seas voyages … Some countries may have not yet adapted to seeing the PLA Navy's normal voyages".
Coming from Taiwan, a neighbouring country which faces China's military harassment and economic coercion on a regular basis, I want to share observations that China is trying to create its "new normal" now in Australia's front yard with the grey zone tactics, just as they have done in the Taiwan Strait.
We have seen an uptick of frequency of PLA aircraft's incursions into our ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone) from 960 sorties in 2021 to 3074 sorties in 2024.
China does this to protest the world's engagement with Taiwan and to cast a shadow over our elections.
On this score, it is sure that China knows about Australia's upcoming federal election and calculated it was “worthwhile" sending a fleet to make an impression.
China would also like to test the determination of our democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly as Donald Trump recalibrates US foreign policy.
The development of international relations may have its own course. Nevertheless, there are still some rules in world politics which have been verified throughout the pain and history.
"Like-minded countries must band together", should be the one to help
stand up against aggression and authoritarian expansionism.
When Australia faces the Chinese military bully and intimidation, do not forget the rules we learned, and all democracies would be united by your side, including Taiwan.
