maritime security

WATCH: China not happy with strategic trajectory of Australia – expert

Jairo Bolledo
WATCH: China not happy with strategic trajectory of Australia – expert
Australia-based expert Ashley Townshend explains China’s reaction with the recently signed trilateral agreement among Australia, UK, and US

Australia-based foreign policy and defense expert Ashley Townshend said China was not happy with the current defense trajectory of Australia. 

“So China was not happy with that strategic trajectory of Australia,” Townshend said in a Southeast Asia Speaks interview with Rappler on October 14. 

Townshend was referring to China’s reaction to the recently signed trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS). Townshend serves as the director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. 

“In the short term, what China doesn’t want to see, as I’m sure most of you were well aware, is an alliance strengthening across the region,” the Australia-based expert added. 

The AUKUS, signed in September this year, was one of the biggest international agreements signed by the three countries in the past decade. In a joint statement, the three countries said the pact would help in ensuring security in the region. 

The signing of the agreement also solidified the status of Australia as one of the US’ strong allies. For the past two decades, Australia has been juggling its diplomatic ties with both the US and China. 

Days after the signing, Australia’s Minister for Defense Peter Dutton formally informed Manila’s Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana about the agreement. 

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China, which claims territories and maritime features in the region without basis, condemned the agreement. According to foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, the agreement would undermine regional police. 

However, both Dutton and Townshend clarified that the AUKUS will only strengthen the military cooperation among the three countries.  

Watch the full interview here. – Rappler.com 

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Jairo Bolledo

Jairo Bolledo is a multimedia reporter at Rappler covering justice, police, and crime.