Washington | Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Arthur Sinodinos, says China’s coercion in the Indo-Pacific is now a bigger threat than September 11-style terrorism and that the strategic ANZUS alliance will be stronger in coming months as both countries hasten military and economic tie-ups to counter intimidation from Beijing.

Mr Sinodinos said he expects he will meet the incoming Chinese ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, soon and that he is confident America’s exit from Afghanistan means more than just a symbolic pivot to the Pacific.