Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed concerns over China’s significant military expansion, emphasizing her commitment to counter the “destabilizing and dangerous” activities of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. This statement comes shortly before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s scheduled visit with President Xi Jinping.
During a speech at the Institute for Strategic and International Studies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wong highlighted that the challenges in the Indo-Pacific are “beyond what was anticipated.”
“But we also see opportunities â here in the Indo-Pacific, the most dynamic region in the world,” she said.
“And I am confident in our region’s ability to meet these challenges.”
Wong recognized the Trump administration’s intent to assume “a different role” globally, but noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concurred on the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
But to shape an “open and peaceful” region, Wong said, would require an “unprecedented application of our national power”.
“The United States’ presence in our region remains critical to the Indo-Pacific’s strategic stability and reinforces the ability of all its countries to make choices in their own sovereign interests,” she said.
“And as a great power, China can also wield its strength in a way that contributes to its security and economic resilience.”
Wong said Chinese involvement was vital in helping solve worldwide challenges, including the fight against climate change, global health, and trade.
But she also sounded a note of warning about Beijing’s ongoing projection of strength into the Indo-Pacific, along with the “worrying pace” of China’s nuclear and conventional military build-up.
Wong said Australia was “realistic” about China’s power in the region and its bid to grow that power.
“None of us, including the United States, seeks military confrontation with China – in the South China Sea, the East China Sea or across the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
“What we do seek is a balance of power, where no country dominates and no country is dominated.”
Wong’s comments came just days before Albanese travels to China for a six-day trip.
That visit will include Albanese’s fourth meeting with President Xi Jinping.
Albanese has had less success in securing face-to-face time with US President Donald Trump, though the two leaders have spoken by phone and Trump has praised Albanese in the past.
Nonetheless, several major issues currently bedevil the long-standing Australia-US relationship, including the Trump administration’s tariffs on imports, a shock review of the AUKUS agreement, and demands Australia increase its defence spending.
