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| China expresses 'dissatisfaction' at Australia's defence white paper | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| China has expressed “concern and dissatisfaction” with Australia’s defence white paper, a multibillion-dollar framework for military acquisition and strategy over the coming decades that was released on Thursday. | China has expressed “concern and dissatisfaction” with Australia’s defence white paper, a multibillion-dollar framework for military acquisition and strategy over the coming decades that was released on Thursday. |
| The white paper noted “a number of points of friction”, including over China’s territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. | The white paper noted “a number of points of friction”, including over China’s territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. |
| “We are seriously concerned about and dissatisfied with the white paper’s negative statement on issues concerning the South China Sea and the development of China’s military strength,” said Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying. | “We are seriously concerned about and dissatisfied with the white paper’s negative statement on issues concerning the South China Sea and the development of China’s military strength,” said Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying. |
| “It is hoped that the Australian side would take a correct and positive view of China’s development and strategic intention, take concrete steps and make joint efforts with China to increase mutual trust and safeguard regional peace, stability and growth. | “It is hoped that the Australian side would take a correct and positive view of China’s development and strategic intention, take concrete steps and make joint efforts with China to increase mutual trust and safeguard regional peace, stability and growth. |
| “We definitely do not want to see tensions or arms race in the region. We hope that the Asia-Pacific would be a region where people from all countries enjoy peace, stability, development and prosperity, and that relevant parties would stop the so-called joint military drills and patrols, and cease constant reinforcement of military buildup in the Asia-Pacific.” | “We definitely do not want to see tensions or arms race in the region. We hope that the Asia-Pacific would be a region where people from all countries enjoy peace, stability, development and prosperity, and that relevant parties would stop the so-called joint military drills and patrols, and cease constant reinforcement of military buildup in the Asia-Pacific.” |
| John Blaxland from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University said Hua’s reply to the white paper was consistent with Beijing’s approach to the matter. “That’s a standard response from China; we would have expected that,” he told Sky News. | John Blaxland from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University said Hua’s reply to the white paper was consistent with Beijing’s approach to the matter. “That’s a standard response from China; we would have expected that,” he told Sky News. |
| But he said countries in the region were right to be concerned about China’s military buildup. “Almost every state in the region is really concerned about this.” | But he said countries in the region were right to be concerned about China’s military buildup. “Almost every state in the region is really concerned about this.” |
| On Thursday, the US navy indicated it may send more submarines and destroyers to the South China Sea to increase freedom of navigation patrols in the region, as tensions between the two world powers intensify. | On Thursday, the US navy indicated it may send more submarines and destroyers to the South China Sea to increase freedom of navigation patrols in the region, as tensions between the two world powers intensify. |
| Earlier in the month satellite images were released that appear to show missile launchers on Woody Island. China has neither confirmed nor denied their existence, but Hua said the US should not use the issue of military facilities on the islands as “a pretext to make a fuss”. | Earlier in the month satellite images were released that appear to show missile launchers on Woody Island. China has neither confirmed nor denied their existence, but Hua said the US should not use the issue of military facilities on the islands as “a pretext to make a fuss”. |
| “China’s deploying necessary, limited defensive facilities on its own territory is not substantively different from the United States defending Hawaii,” she said. | “China’s deploying necessary, limited defensive facilities on its own territory is not substantively different from the United States defending Hawaii,” she said. |
| The white paper highlighted the importance of Australia’s bilateral relationship with China but expressed concerns over some elements of the relationship. | The white paper highlighted the importance of Australia’s bilateral relationship with China but expressed concerns over some elements of the relationship. |
| “As China grows, it will continue to seek greater influence within the region,” the document said. “As a major power, it will be important for regional stability that China provides reassurance to its neighbours by being more transparent about its defence policies.” | “As China grows, it will continue to seek greater influence within the region,” the document said. “As a major power, it will be important for regional stability that China provides reassurance to its neighbours by being more transparent about its defence policies.” |