Following the lifting of trade barriers by Beijing towards Australia since 2020, the trade dispute between Australia and China has come to an end. However, Australia is increasingly worried and vigilant about China’s expanding military influence in the Indo-Pacific region and the regional conflicts it may provoke.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles, stated in an interview with Bloomberg on Saturday that while the trade relationship between Australia and China has become more stable, there are still “security anxieties” existing in the two countries’ relationship.
During his speech at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore the day before, Marles elaborated on these “security anxieties” in detail.
He mentioned that Russia has become isolated internationally due to its invasion of Ukraine. Despite Russia’s adoption of an evil and violent path, China continues to support Russia. He expressed concerns about China’s role in global geopolitics.
Marles cited China’s provocative actions in the South China Sea, including the Chinese Coast Guard using water cannons to attack Philippine vessels, escalating tensions significantly. The number of Chinese fighter jets crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait for intrusions has reached a historic high.
He also highlighted similar behaviors by the Chinese navy towards the Australian navy. Last November, during a mission in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, Australian frigate HMAS Toowoomba’s divers experienced high-intensity underwater sonar attacks suspected to have originated from a nearby Chinese destroyer, causing hearing damage.
Last month, a People’s Liberation Army fighter jet released flares towards an Australian navy helicopter in international waters, prompting Australia to condemn China’s actions as “unsafe and unprofessional.”
During his address, Marles called on China to be a defender of the international order just like the United States, emphasizing the importance of investing in some form of collective deterrence among all countries.
He stressed the importance of strengthening military deterrence through defense construction. The Australian government announced in reports such as the “2024 Defence Strategy” and “2024 Integrated Investment Plan” released last month that defense spending over the next decade would increase by 50 billion Australian dollars, including investments in long-range missiles, nuclear-powered submarines, and other areas. By the fiscal year 2033-34, annual defense spending is expected to reach 100 billion Australian dollars, approximately 2.4% of the country’s GDP.
Marles mentioned Australia’s deepening alliance with the United States and other allied countries led by the US. He stated that while enhancing ties with US allies, Australia is also expanding defense relationships with Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other partners in Southeast Asia. He emphasized that these relationships have never been as solid as they are now.
Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should play a greater role in expressing Australia’s concerns.
He stated, “When China threatens our national interests, we must be prepared to stand up.” “We need the Prime Minister to say to China: we need you to abide by rules-based international order, we need you to comply with international law.”