Shangri-La Dialogue: Australia says Aukus is ‘transparent’, questions secrecy around China’s military build-up
- Defence minister Richard Marles told the Shangri-La Dialogue summit the pact is all about ‘providing balance in the region’ despite fears it could spark nuclear proliferation
- A senior Chinese colonel played down concerns about Beijing’s nuclear arsenal build-up and criticised those trying to ‘cook up trouble’ in Asia-Pacific
There was a difference between how Canberra was positioning its nuclear submarine acquisition from the agreement and how China had been silent on what was “the biggest conventional military build-up by any country since the end of World War II”, Marles explained as concerns were raised throughout the weekend’s Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore.
“Australia having this capability will provide balance in the region. That is important in terms of deterrence, that is important in terms of providing pathways to peace,” Marles told CNBC on Saturday.
“But the biggest issue and the biggest difference is there is complete strategic transparency in terms of Australia’s actions of why we are acquiring the capabilities ... we are making clear to the region it’s about making our contribution to the collective security.”
“So we are out there being really clear about what we’re about … and I think that is a very big difference to what we’re seeing in terms of the military build-up in China.”
Marles made these comments despite the improvement in bilateral relations between Canberra and Beijng. He said China’s secrecy did not provide its neighbours with “strategic reassurances” and was a source of anxiety in Australia.