Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed China’s “chilling silence” on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saying it is time for Beijing to stop having a “bet each way”.
Mr Morrison gave a major foreign policy address to the Lowy Institute on Monday, formally announcing his plan for a $10bn base to be built for the nuclear powered submarines Australia is set to acquire under the AUKUS agreement.
During his hour-long speech, Mr Morrison called out China’s alliance with Russia.
The Prime Minister said he believed it was an “instinctive and opportunistic relationship” rather than a stratxjmtzywegic one.
“The world has heard China’s words about its commitment to global peace and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and playing a positive role in the international community for a very long time,” he said.
“So it’s now up to China’s and their leaders at this hinge point of history to demonstrate that these are more than just words.
“But I feel the early signs are not good.
“No country will have a bigger impact on concluding this terrible war in Ukraine than China.
“But so long as they have a bet each way on this, the bloodshed will continue.”
