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US Stands Firm with Allies Against China's "Bullying Behavior" in Asia-Pacific; AUKUS Deal Faces Scrutiny
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the United States' support for countries countering China's "bullying behavior" during bilateral talks in Australia.
Chinese policy in the region took center stage as the US and Australian defense and foreign affairs ministers convened for their annual meetings in Brisbane.
"We’ve seen troubling (Chinese) coercion from the East China Sea to the South China Sea to right here in the Southwest Pacific," stated Austin before meeting his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles.
The talks, aimed at countering Beijing's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, also focused on the AUKUS deal, providing Australia with a fleet of US nuclear-powered submarines.
"We’ll continue to support our allies and partners as they defend themselves from bullying behavior," added the Pentagon chief.
Tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated over various issues, including trade, Taiwan's status, China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, and the US push against Chinese influence in the region.
Efforts to improve communication and avoid confrontation have been made, with recent visits to China by senior US officials, including Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
The sudden removal of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang could complicate efforts to improve relations, analysts warned, though a major change is unlikely.
Chinese Response
In response to US accusations of problematic behavior in the Asia-Pacific, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized China's transparent and non-interfering cooperation with Pacific island countries, asserting that China is not interested in competing for influence or geopolitical presence.
China strongly opposed the trilateral AUKUS defense deal involving Australia, the US, and the UK, denouncing it as a threat to regional stability.
Another Chinese spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, labeled the alliance "extremely irresponsible" and accused it of damaging peace, intensifying an arms race, and undermining international nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
Australia
Australia has been reshaping its defense force in response to China's military buildup, focusing on enhancing long-range strike capabilities, domestic missile production, and military interoperability with the US and regional partners.
The talks also addressed deepening defense ties, including the integration of Japan into joint force posture initiatives.
Concerns about AUKUS Deal
Amid discussions, 25 Republican legislators in the US raised concerns about the AUKUS deal, urging President Joe Biden in a letter to clarify plans to replace the three submarines intended for Australia, as they believed the deal could "unacceptably weaken" the US fleet.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed confidence in the plan, citing bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats during a NATO summit in Lithuania.
The talks underscored the importance of collaboration between the US and its allies to address challenges posed by China's actions in the Asia-Pacific region.
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