- AUKUS alliance considers expansion
- Aim is to counter China’s influence
- Reported by Financial Times
Eko hot blog reports that In a bid to counter China’s influence, the United States, Britain, and Australia are mulling over expanding their AUKUS security pact.
According to the Financial Times, discussions will kick off to include new members, with Japan being a key player to deter China’s ambitions in the region.
The “pillar two” talks of the pact will focus on collaborative efforts in developing advanced technologies like quantum computing, undersea capabilities, hypersonic systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber technology.
However, there are no plans to extend the first pillar, which involves supplying nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
AUKUS, introduced in 2023, is part of the trio’s strategy to counterbalance China’s increasing dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has criticized the pact, labeling it as risky and warning of potential regional arms escalation.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell highlighted the significance of the AUKUS submarine initiative in deterring any Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, a contentious issue between Beijing and Taipei.
President Joe Biden has been actively strengthening ties with Asian allies, particularly amid China’s military expansion and territorial assertions and restrain from abolishing that idea.
He is scheduled to host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and later engage in a trilateral summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.