Australia, Japan sign security pact to counter China
Australia and Japan have signed an agreement to strengthen security ties and deepen military cooperation, a pact considered as a counterweight to China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida signed the agreement in Perth on Saturday, substantially updating a 2007 pact signed by then leaders John Howard and Shinzo Abe.
As part of the closer partnership, Albanese said Japan’s military would train and exercise in northern Australia alongside Australian Defense Force personnel, and the exchange of intelligence would be boosted.
The two leaders said the agreement would serve “as a compass” for security cooperation for the next decade.
“This landmark declaration sends a strong signal to the region of our strategic alignment,” Albanese said.
And the Japanese leader said the two nations had been working to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific under “an increasingly severe strategic environment.” Kishida said he was resolved to examine all options required for national defense, including “counterstrike capabilities,” and he would ensure a substantial increase to Japan’s defense budget to achieve his aims.
“Through this experience, the bonds that tie Japan and Australia together have become much stronger. And our two countries have become the central pillar of cooperation among like-minded countries,” Kishida said.
In May, Kishida and Albanese pledged to work towards a new bilateral declaration on security cooperation.
In 2014, the two countries elevated their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership.”
Japan is also a major buyer of Australian gas and has made a series of big bets on hydrogen energy produced in Australia.
Iran dismisses UK, Australia’s ‘baseless’ claims, urges end to interventions in West Asia
Islamophobic graffiti found in Sydney suburb sparks outrage
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo calls for nuclear-free world
Iran warns against US-Israeli plot to weaken Muslims, dominate region
VIDEO | Public uproar in US against Israeli regime
‘Ghost town’: 70% of Jabalia buildings destroyed by Israel
Mother’s Day: Sareh Javanmardi’s inspiring journey as Paralympic champion and mother
Russia downs over 40 Ukrainian drones as Putin vows 'destruction' on Kiev
VIDEO | Yemen: A bone in Israeli neck
D-8’s role in Iran’s economy after Cairo summit
China slams US as ‘war-addicted’ threat to global security
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
