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China’s military buildup ‘of enormous concern’ – potent defence needed

Australia needs the most “potent” defence force amid China’s military build up, which is the “single biggest factor” shaping regional security, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles says.

Aug 09, 2022, updated Aug 09, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. (AAP Image/Matt Turner)

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. (AAP Image/Matt Turner)

Marles, who is also the defence minister, reaffirmed the call for calm and de-escalation amid the security crisis in the Taiwan Strait, but warned of the deteriorating environment.

“We’re completely aware of the military build up that China has engaged in, and …it’s not been done in a way which gives any sense of reassurance to its neighbours in the region, and it’s of enormous concern,” he told ABC radio on Tuesday.

“It is the single biggest factor which shapes the strategic environment of our region, arguably the world.

“It’s certainly one of the key facts in shaping Australia’s strategic circumstances and that’s why we need to make sure that we are building a defence force which is as capable as possible, which is as potent as possible so that we can keep Australians safe.”

Beijing has fired 11 ballistic missiles towards Taiwan, and has carried out simulated attacks following the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island.

Marles said China’s exercises near Taiwan were a “demonstration of its capability” and of its “force”.

“That is significant, what what we need to see now is a return to calm and I think that’s what everyone obviously in the region wants to be honest,” he said.

“I think that’s what everyone in the world wants.”

Asked if China was changing the status quo in the region, which both Australia and the US have said should not change unilaterally, Marles sidestepped the question.

“The the evolution of the situation across the Taiwan Strait in our view ought to be the result of a peaceful dialogue,” he said.

On Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact, Marles said he was “open” to options which included the boats not being built in Australia, but reaffirmed the need for a local industrial base.

The submarines are not expected to arrive until about 2040 at the earliest, with the current Collins class fleet due to be retired, raising fears the defence force may experience a capability gap.

It comes as Australia and the United States are working in lock step to ensure stability amid the growing influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region, the US Deputy Secretary of State said.

Wendy Sherman met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Monday to discuss the two nations’ support of a free and open Indo-Pacific while also deepening their economic engagement in the region.

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A shared commitment to the rules-based order is the basis for the “extraordinary alliance” between Australia and the United States, Sherman said.

“Out of (World War II) we built a rules based international order that allowed all countries to play by the same set of rules, a UN charter that everyone signed up to, a Universal Declaration of Human Rights that everybody signed up to,” she told the ABC’s 7.30 on Monday.

“That has served the world well, we should not leave it behind (and) we need to plan for the future based on those fundamental values.”

Wong and Sherman also discussed China’s military exercises in the Taiwan Strait in response to a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island nation last week.

The entire world is concerned by China’s actions, Sherman said.

“We’re seeing (China) escalate the situation with Taiwan in just extraordinary ways … like-minded countries around the world are urging China to de-escalate,” she said.

Sherman also said the historic AUKUS deal between Australia, the US and the United Kingdom was working in lock step.

But she would not reveal whether the US government would consider leasing nuclear submarines to Australia to fill an expected defence capability gap.

“We have all kinds of processes that we need to go through and … export control regulations in our country,” she said.

“I think the vision that was outlined originally is going to be realised.”

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