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Australia, Japan sign security pact to counter China

Saturday, 22 October 2022 3:46 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 22 October 2022 3:46 PM ]

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (R) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a press conference in Perth on October 22, 2022. (Photo by AFP)

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.