AUKUS SECURITY PACT
China ready to work with New Zealand to upgrade ties as Chinese Premier Li visits Wellington
New Zealand has in recent years taken a less assertive line with Beijing on security matters than its Western partners in the Five Eyes intelligence sharing partnership and has sought a consistent foreign policy approach to Beijing that spans political parties and administrations. But Luxon told reporters Monday that there were areas where, in talks with Li, Wellington would "call out our differences and discuss those openly, too."
Donald Trump is supportive of AUKUS defence pact, former Australian PM says
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with Donald Trump, who gave a positive response to the AUKUS defense pact, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. Trump's stance on the pact remains unclear, potentially impacting Australia's acquisition of U.S. submarines. Current PM Albanese supports the pact's strategic importance.
South Korea discusses joining part of AUKUS pact with US, UK and Australia
South Korea could contribute to that second stage with its defence, science and technological capabilities, Shin said at a news conference after a meeting between Australia and South Korea's foreign and defence ministers in Melbourne.
China says AUKUS risks nuclear proliferation in Pacific
China's foreign minister criticized the AUKUS security pact, accusing Western powers of causing division and nuclear proliferation risks in the South Pacific. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, Wang Yi condemned the agreement between the US, UK, and Australia, which aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. He emphasized that AUKUS goes against a South Pacific treaty banning nuclear weapons in the region and could destabilize the area. Wang's remarks reflect China's efforts to counter US and Australian influence in the Pacific Islands, which are strategically significant despite their small populations.
China labels US comments on Taiwan and AUKUS 'dangerous'
The project, finalised by the three countries last year, involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of the allies' efforts to push back against China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia, Britain call out China for its actions in Hong Kong, South China Sea and Russia
Australia and Britain criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong, the South China Sea, and its support of Russia. The statement, issued after a meeting in Adelaide, called out China's behavior in the South China Sea as "unsafe and destabilizing." The ministers expressed concern over Hong Kong's new security law and human rights abuses in China. They also called on China to help end the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting came after the signing of a new defence and security agreement between Australia and Britain.
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USD 3 billion deal with UK gets Australia closer to having a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines
Australia is providing 4.6 billion Australian dollars to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarines with the UK, following a defence and security pact signing. The deal aims to counter challenges such as China's activities in the South China Sea. UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps emphasized the submarines' importance in a dangerous world. The agreement will boost production capacity in the UK and Australia, with submarines primarily from UK design and US weaponry. Australia will acquire at least three US nuclear submarines under the AUKUS agreement.
Australia earmarks billions for naval infrastructure as BAE wins AUKUS submarine work
Australia announced plans to invest billions in docks, shipyards, and factories in Australia and Britain for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact. The agreement with the United States and Britain will see Australia purchase up to five nuclear submarines from Washington in the early 2030s and jointly build and operate a new class, SSN-AUKUS, with Britain about a decade later. Australia will give Britain £2.4 billion ($3.1 billion) toward design work for the submarines and expand a Rolls-Royce plant that builds nuclear reactors.
Australia, Britain sign defence cooperation agreement
Australia and Britain have signed a new defence and security agreement that facilitates easier cooperation between their defence forces in each other's countries. The agreement was signed during talks in Adelaide between British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, and their Australian counterparts. The treaty requires the nations to consult each other in the event of a threat. Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia has chosen BAE Systems to assist in building new nuclear submarines, marking a significant development in Australia's defence capabilities.
'I don't want to contain China': Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden stated that he does not want to contain China, despite deepening divisions between the two powers. Biden revealed that he had a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in New Delhi, where they discussed stability. While Washington and Beijing are at odds on various global issues, Biden emphasized that the US is not seeking to box China in, but rather establish clear ground rules for their relationship.
US, Australia to cooperate with India to ensure security and stability of Indo-Pacific
US and Australia on Saturday agreed to further cooperate with India, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Korea to ensure the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific at the 33rd Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). Officials from the two countries on Saturday met in Brisbane.
QUAD should be viewed as partner not competitor: Indonesia
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has described Quad and Aukus as “partners and not competitors” to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean). The apparent change of heart, which comes ahead of the May 24 Quad summit in Sydney, is being viewed as a positive in India that shares a common maritime boundary with Indonesia.
China lashes out at US, UK and Australia over the submarine pact, calls it going ‘dangerous road’
According to UK PM Rishi Sunak, there will be collaboration among the UK, US, and Australia to ensure the freedom of our oceans by utilizing a new fleet of advanced attack submarines.
China says AUKUS on 'dangerous' path; submarine deal violates Non-Proliferation Treaty
China has been opposing the AUKUS alliance which helps Canberra to acquire the US nuclear submarines to boost its security in the face of increasing hostilities between the two countries. China says the bloc is aimed at containing its rise.
Philippines expands US access to military bases
Beijing's growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its building of bases in the disputed South China Sea have given fresh impetus to Washington and Manila to strengthen their partnership.
Australia boosts defence, Pacific diplomacy spending in budget
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's first budget since his centre-left Labor government was elected in May lifts funding for defence by 8% in the fiscal year ending June 2023 and to more than 2% of gross domestic product through to mid-2026. Additionally, the government included a previously announced A$1.4 billion in overseas assistance, which features A$900 million for Pacific island nations and A$470 million for Southeast Asia.
Australia, UK, US alliance to develop hypersonic missiles
US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the plan after holding a check-in on the progress of AUKUS, the Indo-Pacific alliance that was launched by the three countries in September
Australia, Japan to sign 'historic' defence, security pact
Prime ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Fumio Kishida of Japan will meet in a virtual summit to sign the agreement, which Morrison said "will underpin greater and more complex practical engagement between the Australian Defense Force and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces."
India is eager for Putin’s weapons despite US sanctions risk
India is part of the Quad group with the US, Japan and Australia that is shaping up as a bulwark against China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia, UK defend AUKUS pact, say fears overhyped
Other nations such as the Philippines and Singapore suggested AUKUS could contribute to regional peace by helping to counterbalance China's growing influence in the region.
UK wants trade and security pact with India and other democracies to challenge authoritarian states: FS Truss
Truss, who was in charge of talks with India on a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the International Trade Secretary until her recent promotion within the UK Cabinet, said that she is keen to strike more deals along the lines of AUKUS - the trilateral security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, which is widely seen as a counter-balance to China.
UK wants trade and security pact with India, says minister Liz Truss
Truss, who was in charge of talks with India on a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the International Trade Secretary until her recent promotion within the UK Cabinet, said that she is keen to strike more deals along the lines of AUKUS – the trilateral security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, which is widely seen as a counter-balance to China.
After AUKUS, Russia sees a potential threat - and an opportunity to market its own submarines
The Kremlin limited its official commentary to a carefully crafted statement that said, "Before forming a position, we must understand the goals, objectives, means. These questions need to be answered first. There is little information so far."
View: AUKUS is no counter to Quad, both have common vision of Indo-Pacific region
It will strengthen other mini-laterals in the Indo-Pacific besides enhancing Australia’s naval deterrent capabilities against China’s naval strength. AUKUS should be received in India with considerable delight.
France's envoy to return to US after Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden talks
In an unprecedented move, France recalled its ambassador after the U.S., Australia and Britain announced a new Indo-Pacific defense deal last week. As part of the pact, Australia will cancel a multibillion-dollar contract to buy diesel-electric French submarines and acquire U.S. nuclear-powered vessels instead.
To smoothen ruffled feathers in Asia, India terms QUAD a non-military alliance
The Quad is designed to cater to requirements of the Indo-Pacific. The Aukus is a security alliance among three countries, and is not relevant to the Quad and will have no impact on Quad's functioning, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday.
Quad and AUKUS not similar, Australia won't have any nuclear weapons, says Harsh Shringla
Shringla also stressed that Australia has clarified that they are working on a nuclear-propelled submarine. "But it would not have any nuclear weapons, as such will not be in contravention with any of Australia's international commitments with regard to the issue of nuclear proliferation," he clarified.
The AUKUS pact, born in secrecy, will have huge implications for Australia and the region
This alliance, announced by the leaders of the three countries, throws an entirely different light on the recent 70th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty and indeed key defence relationships of the past seven decades.
AUKUS alliance with Australia, Britain not against any country: White House
The US, Britain and Australia on Wednesday announced the AUKUS alliance for the Indo-Pacific to take on the threats of the 21st century and allow for greater sharing of defence capabilities, including help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, in a bid to counter China's growing power in the strategically vital region.
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