Former UK prime minister David Cameron has warned the world is “more dangerous”, citing several conflicts across the globe and China’s aggressions, as he called for Australia to work closely with his country.
“The lights on the global dashboard are flashing red, so it is a much more dangerous, difficult, uncertain world,” Mr Cameron, who is currently the British foreign secretary, told the ABC’s 7.30.
“We’ve not only got the situation in Europe with Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine … we’ve also got the crisis between Israel and Gaza, (and) more wars in Africa and Myanmar.
“So there is even more need for friendly countries with so much history … like Britain and Australia to work so closely together.”
Under President Xi Jinping, China has been involved in border conflicts with India, disputes in the South China Sea and restricted civil liberties in Hong Kong.
“We see China’s approach today as a epoch-defining challenge,” Mr Cameron said.
“We want to engage with China where we can … (on) things like climate change, but clearly, there are some very challenging aspects of its behaviour in Hong Kong and when it comes to the treatment of Australia in recent years.
“We are seeing a much more assertive China and this only underlines the need for Britain, Australia and like-minded partners to work together.”
China has also been aggressive towards Taiwan, with US top admiral of the Indo-Pacific command John Aquilino warning of a potential invasion by 2027.
“We don’t want to see any unilateral action to change the situation between China and Taiwan,” Mr Cameron said.
“There’s no doubt that were there to be something like a blockade it would have an absolutely calamitous effect, not just on Taiwan, but on the global economy.
“We’ve had recent evidence of a calamitous event with Covid.
“I think if that were to happen with Taiwan, it would be more significant.”
Mr Cameron stressed the importance of the AUKUS military agreement between Australia, Britain and the US.
“We do this not because of some sort of delusions of empire grandeur, we do it because the Indo Pacific is vital for the world’s prosperity,” he said.
“We’ll spend what’s necessary to deliver the submarines.”
Meanwhile, as the war in Gaza continued, Mr Cameron said Israel should not proceed with an offensive in Rafah unless they had a plan to protect civilians.
“That plan doesn’t exist at the moment,” he said.
“It’s hard to see how you could carry out an offensive in Rafah without having a clear plan that’s going to avoid an appalling level of civilian casualties.”
Mr Cameron also called for a ceasefire for a new hostage swap and called for more Israeli aid flow into Gaza.
“The number of trucks going in, in March so far, is radically up on the very low number in February,” he said.
“They’re opening this maritime corridor, which is important in getting aid from Cyprus into Gaza.
“One of the things that I’d say about the maritime cargo, it’s a good idea, but they should open the port of Ashdod.
“They can get really huge amounts of aid through that port and into Gaza.”