Australia and China have been at odds in recent years, but nevertheless, the tensions between the two countries could lead to an armed conflict or world war. Australia’s former defense official has now warned that the two countries can potentially engage in armed conflict in a span of five years.
Relations between Australia and China have especially been tense since April 2020 following Prime Minister Scott Morrison requesting an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. Morrison’s attempts to seek transparency toward the beginnings of what is now a global pandemic since December 2019 have since angered the Chinese government. Beijing has since responded by imposing tariffs on Australian goods being imported into the country.
This has now led experts to warn that tensions between Australia and China could now lead to an all-out conflict. Former Australian defense minister Christopher Pyne said during his remarks at the University of Adelaide that the possibility of conflict between the two countries is even more likely now than it was five years ago. Mr. Pyne added that the “most concerning issue” that would lead to an armed conflict is China’s situation with Taiwan.
“Five years ago, I would have said that the possibility was very unlikely — now I would have to say that the possibility is more likely now than it was then,” said Mr. Pyne. “Not a cyberwar, but a real one involving loss of life, destruction of military platforms, with aggressors and defenders on different sides…This isn’t rhetoric. This is something that you and I may well have to confront in the next five to 10 years.”
Another recent incident that occurred was the sabotaging of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. With the Islamic nation pinning the blame on Israel and swearing revenge, the ongoing conflict between the two countries could also lead to an all-out armed battle.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the nation’s plans to enrich uranium to up to 60 percent purity next week. The Islamic nation’s uranium enrichment program suggests that the country is on track to build its own nuclear arsenal. However, Iranian officials have said that their enrichment of uranium would be used to produce Molybdenum, which is for medical purposes.