The report published by the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre (USSC) suggests that efforts to counter coercion and anti-democratic trends in the Indo-Pacific should include a focus on democratic values, not just infrastructure development. According to the report titled “Aligning Values and Interests: Japanese and Australian democracy support in the Pacific and Southeast Asia,” Japan and Australia need to collaborate on promoting democratic values in the region to combat malign influences effectively.
The report highlights that while both countries have adopted a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, they have been hesitant to directly support democracy, preferring to focus on aid and infrastructure projects. This reluctance stems from a concern about imposing Western values on neighboring countries. However, the report warns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is actively promoting authoritarian values and supporting authoritarian states in the region, undermining democratic institutions.
To address this challenge, the report recommends that Australia and Japan work together to support democracy as part of their FOIP strategy. This approach would not only help counter malign influences but also contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development goals. USSC CEO Michael Green emphasizes the need for the United States, Japan, and Australia to collaborate more closely in supporting democracy in the face of CCP’s revisionist actions.
The report also provides specific recommendations for Australia and Japan, including supporting infrastructure investment based on Japan’s quality principles, challenging Chinese authoritarian narratives, partnering with democratic Southeast Asian countries, and coordinating democracy support activities with allies like the U.S., South Korea, and the EU. Additionally, the report suggests creating safe spaces for pro-democracy activists, building capacity for civil society organizations, and facilitating exchanges between Australian and Japanese parliamentarians.
In recent developments, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and U.S. President Joe Biden announced a partnership with Australia to enhance defence capabilities in the region. The U.S. and the UK are also exploring collaboration with Japan under the AUKUS security pact to advance non-nuclear projects related to defence and technology.
Overall, the report underscores the importance of promoting democratic values in the Indo-Pacific region to counter authoritarian influences and strengthen democratic institutions.
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