China Says It’s No Longer Easily Bullied, Hints at BeiDou Use by Iran
China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has asserted that Beijing’s military activities in the South China Sea and Tasman Sea demonstrate a diminished capacity for other major powers to intimidate China, while similarly acknowledging the potential use of its BeiDou satellite navigation system by Iran.
In a rare interview with Australia’s 60 Minutes program, Ambassador Xiao conceded that Iran may be utilizing the BeiDou system to target military assets belonging to the United States and Israel in the Middle East. However, he firmly stated that China is not directly involved in such activities. “The BeiDou system has been there for decades. It’s for everybody’s use, on a public basis or a commercial basis,” Xiao said, adding, “And we don’t differentiate who can gain access to it or not.” He called for an immediate cessation of military actions in the Middle East and advocated for peaceful negotiations to resolve ongoing disputes.
The comments come as China has recently increased its military spending by nearly 7 percent. Speculation regarding China’s intentions toward Taiwan has also grown, particularly as the conflict in the Middle East diverts American attention and resources from the Indo-Pacific region. Xiao described recent intensified military actions around Taiwan as “a warning” and a “direct response to the large American arm sales to Taiwan.” While he stated there was no fixed timeline for reunification, he indicated a preference for a swift resolution, asserting, “in my personal view, as soon as possible. We’ve been capable for decades … we’re waiting for a peaceful reunification.”
A recent U.S. Intelligence assessment reportedly aligns with Xiao’s statements, indicating that while Beijing continues to create conditions for eventual unification with Taiwan, Chinese leaders currently do not plan an invasion in 2027, nor have they established a firm timeline for achieving unification. Nevertheless, Xiao warned that any attempts to obstruct China’s reunification efforts would be met with consequences. “There are countries in the world who have been supporting China’s One China policy … but there are also countries who are going the other way around. I expect Australia to keep its promise on One China policy,” he stated.
Xiao also defended China’s military actions in response to Australian military activity, rejecting claims that a Chinese helicopter performed an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre” near an Australian Seahawk helicopter over the Yellow Sea. He maintained that the Chinese military was acting legitimately to protect its sovereignty, territory, and integrity. He also referenced previous incidents, including flares released by a Chinese fighter jet near an Australian surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea and live-fire drills conducted by Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea, as demonstrations of China’s growing military strength. “We’re no longer a country that can easily be bullied by other big powers,” he said.
The ambassador also addressed China’s political system, asserting that it is “a democracy in our own way, with Chinese characteristics,” despite being an authoritarian state governed by the Chinese Communist Party.
While tensions between Australia and China have eased under the Albanese government, the legacy of the 2020 trade war remains a sensitive issue. Xiao denied that Beijing imposed sanctions on Australian exports in response to the Morrison government’s call for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. He attributed the decline in Australian exports to a reaction from the Chinese public, who he said were angered by the previous Australian government’s stance on Taiwan and accusations regarding the virus’s origins. “When they are angry, they hate to head to the same shops to buy the same products,” he explained.