Australian and United States defense and foreign affairs officials have issued a warning about Beijing’s actions in the Indo-Pacific region, stating that they pose a risk to stability. Following the latest AUSMIN meeting, top U.S. and Australian officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, signed multiple agreements and pledged to increase U.S. military rotations in Australia.
In a joint statement, the officials expressed concern over Beijing’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea, which they believe are escalating tensions and undermining peace and stability in the region. They highlighted Beijing’s excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea, which they stated are inconsistent with international law and involve unilateral actions aimed at changing the status quo through force or coercion.
The statement also outlined plans for greater U.S. military activity in Australia, including more frequent rotational deployments across air, land, and maritime domains, as well as rotations of bombers, fighter aircraft, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. The officials also mentioned successful prepositioning of U.S. Army equipment in Albury-Wodonga and ongoing infrastructure upgrades at key Australian bases.
Additionally, the United States and Australia are collaborating on weapons projects under AUKUS Pillar Two, such as Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) expected to be ready by 2025, as well as a Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).
The joint statement expressed concerns about Beijing’s coercive actions, including recent incidents involving Philippine vessels and encounters with naval vessels and aircraft in the region. The officials also addressed tensions in the Taiwan Strait and emphasized the importance of dialogue to resolve issues without the use of force.
While criticizing China’s human rights record, particularly in Xinjiang and Tibet, the officials reiterated their commitment to strengthening economic, trade, and people-to-people ties with Taiwan. Despite the challenges, they highlighted the importance of cooperation with China on global issues like climate change and emphasized the need for open communication to avoid unintended escalation or conflict. Please rewrite this sentence.
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