French President Emmanuel Macron vows to stand against Chinese ‘hegemony’ in Asia-Pacific during trip to Australia
Australia has become increasingly alarmed at China’s push into the Pacific, which could potentially upset the strategic balance in the region
No country can be allowed to dominate the Asia-Pacific, the leaders of France and Australia said on Wednesday, as regional capitals fret over the rise of an increasingly assertive China.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the two nations – alongside fellow democracy India – had a responsibility to protect the region from “hegemony” – a veiled reference to Beijing’s growing might.
“China’s rise is very good news for everybody. It’s good for China itself, its middle classes, and it’s good for global growth, and regional growth,” he said. “What’s important is to preserve rules-based development in the region … and to preserve necessary balances in the region.
It’s important with this new context not to have any hegemony
“It’s important with this new context not to have any hegemony,” he added through an interpreter.
France has a number of island territories in the Pacific Ocean.
Australia has become increasingly alarmed at China’s push into the Pacific, which could potentially upset the strategic balance in the region.
“We welcome further Chinese investment in our region. We welcome the benefits of the growth of China. But of course we are committed to the maintenance of the rules-based international order, to good governance, strong standards, that will enable us all to continue this remarkable arc of prosperity that has been enabled by that rule of law,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.
Neighbour New Zealand has also voiced concerns about “strategic anxiety” – diplomatic code for Beijing’s influence among the region’s island nations.