Australia can make its own choices in event of Taiwan Straits War

An Australian newspaper reports that the Taiwan conflict is up to Australia, according to US military leaders.

The commander of US forces in the Pacific says Australia can make up its own mind on whether to become involved in any conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan.

But Admiral William Fallon, whose responsibility stretches from California to Madagascar, indicated that the ANZUS treaty placed certain obligations on Australia to go to the defence of the US.

Earlier this year, the Australian government dodged questions on what role it would take if the US and China ever came to blows on the question of Taiwan.

Like Australia, the US supports a one-China policy but has made it clear it will not stand for any threat to Taiwanese sovereignty.

Under the ANZUS treaty, Australia is obliged to support the US in the event of a retaliatory attack.

[Taiwan] [China] [[Australia]