China-Australia relations: Scott Morrison offers Xi Jinping ‘open invitation’ to talks after new pact with US, UK
- The Australian PM made the offer after joining the ‘Aukus’ security pact with the US and UK to strengthen military capabilities in the Pacific
- Australia will withdraw from a US$66 billion submarine deal with France and instead build nuclear-powered subs using US and UK technology
Morrison said he remained ready to hold discussions with Xi, despite high-level talks being frozen and growing tensions between the two countries. Canberra’s decision to boost its military arsenal amid already surging spending on defence is likely to further strain its relationship with Beijing.
“There’s an open invitation for President Xi to discuss other matters,” Morrison said.
Australia would acquire long-range US Tomahawk cruise missiles for the first time, Morrison said.
He also confirmed Australia has scrapped a A$90 billion (US$66 billion) submarine deal with France, instead building nuclear-powered subs using US and British technology.
“The decision we have made to not continue with the Attack Class submarine and to go down this path is not a change of mind, it’s a change of need,” he said.