Cross-Strait tensions

Australia is deeply concerned about the launch of ballistic missiles by China into waters around Taiwan's coastline.

These exercises are disproportionate and destabilising.

This is a serious matter for the region, including for our close strategic partner, Japan.

Australia shares the region's concerns about this escalating military activity, especially the risks of miscalculation.

We urge restraint and de-escalation.

It is in all our interests to have a region at peace and not in conflict. Australia does not want to see any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. There is no change to Australia's bipartisan one-China policy.

We are continuing to monitor the situation very closely, and we are talking to allies and partners.

Today I have expressed Australia's concerns to my Chinese counterpart along with other regional foreign ministers in the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, and officials from my department have reiterated our concerns with the Chinese Government.