China says Australia-Japan defence pact should not threaten other countries’ interests
- Foreign ministry in Beijing signals unease over deal that will give Australian and Japanese forces access to each others’ bases
- Agreement reached in principle after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison met his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga
China has reacted warily towards a joint defence pact between Japan and Australia, saying that their military cooperation should not threaten third-party interests.
The defence pact, the Reciprocal Access Agreement, was agreed to “in principle” but not formally signed during Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent visit to Japan.
The pact would provide a legal and administrative framework for the Japanese and Australian armed forces to have access to each others’ bases and cooperate more closely.
On Wednesday Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian indicated Beijing’s unease about the agreement.
“The Chinese side has repeatedly pointed out that cooperation between related countries should be conducive to peace and stability and enhance mutual trust in the region … and should not target any third party or threaten the third party’s interest,” said Zhao during a regular press conference on Wednesday.
The agreement, which has taken six years of negotiation, was concluded at a time of uncertainty over future US commitments towards the region following the change in leadership, and growing unease from other countries over China’s increasing assertiveness.