The United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Australia has called the Chinese regime a “challenge” to the UK’s values and interests.
This comes just prior to the joint announcement by the UK, Australia and the United States.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, UK’s High Commissioner to Australia, Vicki Treadell, noted that Beijing was creating a “systemic challenge” to the rules-based international order.
“We recognise China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests. We also recognise these views may not be shared by others,” Treadell said.
She noted that the United Kingdom would support Australia and our allies across the Indo-Pacific and “anywhere the rules-based international order is threatened.”
“A fair competition can only exist within a fair framework respected by all players,” she said.
“Competition between nations is healthy; coercion is not. We will uphold the international rules-based system, including modernising and reinforcing it in the light of experience.”
Read more: UK Calls Out China as AUKUS Announcement Looms
