BEIJING, March 7 (UPI) -- The Chinese government has warned Australia its alliance with the United States could be a problem if China resorts to military tactics with Taiwan.
Beijing's Director General of North American and Oceanian Affairs, He Yafei, told The Australian Australia and the United States need to be careful not to inflame the ANZUS treaty, in which Australia is obliged to support the United States in a conflict.
"We all know Taiwan is part of China, and we do not want to see in any way the Taiwan issue become one of the elements that will be taken up by bilateral military alliances, be it Australia-U.S. or Japan-U.S.," He said.
A spokesman for Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the country had no plans to alter any of its commitments.
"Neither Australia nor the (United States) have any plans to amend the ANZUS alliance," Downer said.
Australia and China have a $20 billion annual trade relationship.
