US_ Japan and Australia vow to work together against China
The defence ministers of the United States_ Australia and Japan agreed Saturday to boost military cooperation in the face of China's growing ambitions.
'We are deeply concerned by China's increasingly aggressive and bullying behaviour in the Taiwan Strait_ and elsewhere in the region_' United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said as he welcomed his counterparts from Australia and Japan to the US military headquarters for the Pacific region.
'Our interest lies in the upholding of the global rules-based order. But we see that order under pressure in the Indo-Pacific as well_ as China is seeking to shape the world around it in a way that we have not seen before_' said the Australian minister_ Richard Marles.
The United States is pressing a diplomatic offensive to counter Chinese influence in the region.
On Thursday United States announced an 810 million dollar aid package for Pacific Island nations where the US plans to intensify its diplomatic presence.
US Vice President Kamala Harris travelled previous week to Japan and South Korea and said the United States would act without fear or hesitation throughout Asia_ including the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of China and also claims the thin and busy channel of water that separates the two.
Vice President Kamala Harris also travelled to Seoul and visited the demilitarised zone between the two Koreas. Her visit was designed to show Washington's commitment to defending South Korea against North Korea.
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