United States defence chief Lloyd Austin has hit out at China for its dangerous confrontations with an Australian aircraft over international waters. | ChrisBarrett_ and ErykBagshaw china unitedstates australia
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has castigated China for its military build-up in the South China Sea in his first major speech on the global stage, accusing Beijing of readying to challenge by force the sovereignty of neighbouring countries.
Denouncing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, he said it was cause for concern that China had not done the same, “especially given the investments it is making now in its own military”. Wei is scheduled speak in Singapore on Sunday, where he is also likely to respond to a speech by Austin earlier on Saturday.AP
Austin slammed the interception of an Australian surveillance plane near the disputed Paracel Islands last month in which a People’s Liberation Army Air Force fighter jet cut in front of it and released chaff that was ingested into the Australian aircraft’s engines. Canada has also accused of China of harassing one of its patrol planes flying near North Korea last week.
The US did not seek an Asian version of NATO with the region split into hostile blocs, according to Austin. But he said Putin’s war “has reminded us all of the dangers of undercutting an international order rooted in rules and respect” and Washington would “defend our interests without flinching”.
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