Australia, Vietnam boost military ties in nod to China
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Vietnamese leader To Lam exchanging documents after a bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on Aug 11.
PHOTO: AFP
- Australia and Vietnam will expand military cooperation focused on maritime security and joint training to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific and South China Sea.
- Both countries face challenges from China's military build-up, with Vietnam contesting China's claims in the South China Sea and Australia increasing its defence forces and US military presence.
- The agreement also includes economic deals to boost resilience and resume Australian game meat exports to Vietnam, aiming to strengthen broader bilateral ties.
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SYDNEY – Australia and Vietnam said on Aug 11 they would expand cooperation between their militaries as the middle powers face down Beijing’s expanding reach in the Pacific and the South China Sea.
Following talks between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese leader To Lam in Canberra, the two countries said their defence forces would work more closely together on maritime security and conduct joint training.
“Our defence industries, as well as our defence forces, are cooperating more and more,” Albanese said in opening remarks as he met the Vietnamese leader.
“Today’s uncertain world means that it is more important than ever that friends engage with each other on all levels – economic, social, environmental – to meet the challenges that are before us,” he added.
The Vietnamese leader’s visit to Australia comes as both countries chafe against a growing military build-up by China in the region.
Vietnam is one of a number of nations with competing claims in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims in nearly its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
Australia is also overseeing a once-in-a-generation expansion of its defence forces and a growing US military footprint on its territory in a bid to counter Beijing’s build-up of forces.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Aug 11 the deepening cooperation with Vietnam would “directly contribute to the stability and security of our region”.
Aug 11’s announcement came alongside a slate of deals between Canberra and Hanoi, including a commitment to deepen “economic resilience” as well as restart market access for Australian game meat – including kangaroo – to Vietnam. AFP