Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called for sanctions to be imposed on China if Hong Kong's democratic freedoms are further impeded.
In a wide-ranging speech to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Mr Abbott also pushed for an increase in military expenditure beyond two per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) to ensure Australia could cause "severe damage" to its enemies.
Buoyed by the mass demonstrations in Hong Kong to preserve the liberal society they enjoyed under British rule, Mr Abbott said China must obey the rules agreed to when it took over in 1997.
Any further encroachment such as the exclusion of certain politicians or capture of pro-democracy leaders could not be tolerated, he said, and should trigger the imposition of sanctions.
Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong have been holding regular demonstrations over the past five months. Source: AAP
"It would not be possible for a credible Australian government to ignore any abrogation of the 'one country, two systems' arrangement for Hong Kong."
He proposed targeted sanctions such as those imposed on Russia after its proxy-invasion of Ukraine.
Under the 'one country, two systems' policy, Hong Kong has continued to enjoy freedoms that are denied in mainland China and a high degree of autonomy from China.
As prime minister, Mr Abbott did not meet the Dalai Lama or increase engagement with Taiwan to avoid antagonising Australia's major trading partner.
He also said he made strategic comments praising China's efforts to lift millions out of poverty and rapid economic rise.
"I said it because it was true and it was helpful to say it," Mr Abbott said.
But he said times have changed, citing the further militarisation of the South China Sea, the internment of more than a million Uighurs and Xi Jinping was declared president for life.
'Absolute duty' to ramp up military capability
The former prime minister also called for much greater investment in the armed forces, describing it as this generation's "absolute duty" to leave future Australians with the means to defend themselves.
"It’s our own self-respect, rather than expectations of America or the rise and rise of a much more assertive China that should drive our acquisition of armed forces that are more self-sufficient and of somewhat greater cyber and strategic strike capability.
"Our country has to be capable of inflicting severe damage on any adversary."
He also lashed the $50 billion deal with a France company to supply 12 new submarines over the next three decades as taking a "ridiculously" long time.
Tony Abbott says Australia must increase investment in the armed forces beyond the current 2 per cent of GDP. Source: SBS News
The deal was signed by Mr Abbott's successor Malcolm Turnbull in 2016 and has been plagued by delays and difficulties.
Mr Abbott urged the government to prepare a "plan B" and consider buying off-the-shelf submarines from the US or the United Kingdom.
While calling for a tougher approach to dealing with the Chinese government, he said Chinese-Australians should not suffer.
"We should not assume that Australians of Chinese ancestry would more readily the agents for China in Australia than agents for Australia in China.
"You see, it is noteworthy that there are few wealthy Chinese who do not seek to acquire assets in countries like Australia. For these people, who know China best, apart from a Western passport, their most prized possession is a Western education. And this is hardly the sign of total confidence in China's future. Or of a next faith in its current values."
His comments come after a man claiming to be a Chinese spy living in Australia sought asylum and provided details of a network of spies operating in Australia.
