| Australia tells China to "Sod off, PeRCy." |
"If there were any move by Australia and the US in terms of that alliance that is detrimental to peace and stability in Asia then it (Australia) needs to be careful."
The ANZUS (Australia-New Zealand-United States) Alliance, drawn up at the end of World War II, is Australia's most important military treaty, under which each country is obliged to support the other in the event of an attack. Australia would be expected under its terms to support the United States if China resorted to force over Taiwan. China is also one of Australia's most important trading partners and an already cordial relationship is constantly widening and deepening to the extent the two are now discussing a free trade agreement.
However, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer suggested last year that Australia might not necessarily go to Taiwan's aid because a flare-up might not constitute a direct attack on US interests. Defence experts were quoted as saying the warnings were a reminder of China's growing economic strength in the region and that Australia may risk its economic and political ties with the nation if drawn into the Taiwan issue. The Australian government said Tuesday that there was no possibility of the ANZUS alliance being reviewed. "We have no plans and the United States has no plans to amend the ANZUS treaty," a spokesman for Downer told AFP.