Australia Urged to Back U.S. in Taiwan: Hanson

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Pauline Hanson has called on the Australian government to take a stronger stance alongside the United States in support of Taiwan, warning that silence could be seen as weakness by China.

Australian Senator Pauline Hanson has urged the federal government to take a firmer and more public stance in support of the United States’ position on Taiwan, warning that silence on the issue could be misinterpreted as weakness by China.

Speaking on the matter, Hanson said Australia needs to send a “clear message” to China, especially at a time when tensions over Taiwan remain high. According to the senator, aligning more visibly with the United States would help demonstrate Australia’s commitment to defending democracy and supporting global stability.

Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island, has long been claimed by China as part of its territory. However, the United States has maintained a strong, unofficial relationship with Taiwan, providing military and diplomatic support while recognizing the “One China” policy. In recent years, increased military activity by China near Taiwan has raised international concern about the potential for conflict.

Hanson warned that Australia cannot afford to remain silent. “We cannot sit on the fence when it comes to standing by democratic nations like Taiwan,” she said. “If we don’t speak up now, China will see our silence as approval.”

She emphasized that Australia must not only protect its own interests in the Indo-Pacific region but also show leadership and solidarity with other democratic nations. “Australia is part of the Western alliance and benefits from a rules-based international order,” Hanson noted. “Failing to support our allies, especially the United States, could weaken our position and credibility in the region.”

The senator’s remarks come amid growing debate about Australia’s foreign policy direction and its balancing act between economic ties with China and strategic partnerships with Western allies. While China remains Australia’s largest trading partner, its increasingly assertive behavior has prompted calls from various political leaders for a tougher stance.

Hanson’s comments echo a broader concern among some lawmakers and policy experts who believe that Australia should be more vocal in its support for Taiwan’s democracy and security. They argue that staying silent could encourage aggression and erode the region’s stability.

Although the Australian government has not officially changed its policy, it has expressed support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Still, Hanson insists that more needs to be done to make Australia’s position unmistakably clear.

In her view, siding with the United States is not just about diplomacy, it’s about defending freedom, standing with like-minded nations, and ensuring that authoritarian powers are held accountable on the world stage.