China tensions could lead to war in Indo-Pacific in five years, says Rudd: Australian Financial Review

The Indo-Pacific region could be on the cusp of armed conflict within five years if the West and China fail to manage growing strategic tensions, former prime minister Kevin Rudd has warned.

Delivering the JG Crawford Oration at the Australian National University on Monday night, Dr Rudd said Chinese President Xi Jinping was putting his country on a war footing and would be in a position to take action against Taiwan in the late 2020s or in the 2030s.

While China and the US had begun to put in place strategic guardrails to manage competition in the name of stability at last week’s G20 leaders’ summit in Bali, Dr Rudd said it was uncertain whether this would succeed.

While the balance of military power was moving in China’s favour, Dr Rudd – who is being touted as a potential ambassador to the US – believed neither side was prepared to roll the dice over the future of Taiwan.

More: China relations: Kevin Rudd sees threat of Indo-Pacific war if tensions are not managed (afr.com)