Diplomatic tension rose between China and Australia over Taiwan today, with Australian Prime Minister John Howard rejecting a public rebuke by the Chinese embassy of his support for the United States.
China criticised Mr Howard for supporting a pledge by US President George W. Bush to help defend Taiwan, saying the Australian leader's comments yesterday were inappropriate and not helpful to bilateral relations.
Ren Xiao Ping, spokeswoman for the Chinese embassy in Australia, said the embassy was not happy with Mr Howard's remarks, particularly his caution to China against aggression, and warned against possible damage to bilateral relations.
The recent US government decision on arms sales to Taiwan has seriously encroached upon China's national sovereignty, flagrantly interfered in China's internal affairs and intensified the tension across the Taiwan Strait, Ms Ren told Reuters.
"Under those circumstances," she said, "Howard's remarks were inappropriate...and certainly are not helpful to the stability of the situation across the Taiwan Strait".
"China hopes Australia will stick to the one-China policy... and avoid through its own action any possible damage to the bilateral relations over the Taiwan question," Ms Ren said.
The Chinese rebuke was in reaction to a radio interview in which Mr Howard said he said he understood Mr Bush's comments on helping defend Taiwan and urged calm, saying he did not want to see any aggression against Taiwan, which China views as a renegade province.
"I understand and I'm sure China and the world understand the United States' position in relation to Taiwan. It's a fairly long-held position and it is not surprising it should be restated by the new president," Mr Howard said.