Russia, China ‘emerging axis’ troubling, says Australia intelligence chief
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Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin (left) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on Oct 16.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SYDNEY - The head of Australia’s national intelligence office said an “emerging axis” of countries providing support to Russia, including China, Iran and North Korea, was “a profoundly troubling strategic development” that Western countries were struggling to catch up with.
The director-general of the Office of National Intelligence, Mr Andrew Shearer, said on Nov 6 that the strategic impact of an emerging axis, with China and Russia at its core, had been underestimated.
“The massive provision by China of dual-use assistance to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, and economic support and diplomatic support is keeping Putin’s army in the field in Ukraine, killing innocent Ukrainians just as surely as if they were providing artillery ammunition and missiles,” Mr Shearer said at the Raisina Down Under conference in Canberra.
He also listed the provision of Iranian drones and North Korean missiles and combat troops to Russia. South Korea and the US say around 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia
“This is a profoundly troubling strategic development and we are all grappling to catch up with it and put in place effective measures, but I think this is one of the strategic challenges of our time,” he said.
Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership with the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. Mr Shearer is the top adviser to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on intelligence matters. REUTERS
