Australia’s massive snub against China and Russia revealed

Australia has snubbed both China and Russia by uninviting them from a major event as relations with the nations continue to sour.

Australia’s “deteriorating relations” with Russia and China has taken an awkward new turn, with the militaries of both nations barred from attending a major event in Sydney this week.

The Indo Pacific 2022 conference kicks off at Darling Harbour in the NSW capital on Tuesday, with military delegations from more than 30 countries set to attend over several days.

But for the first time, representatives from Beijing won’t be among the 40 nations attending, with “deteriorating relations”, especially over a recent security deal with the Solomon Islands, to blame, the ABC reports.

Neither will members of Russia’s military, with organisers deciding to cancel the invite to Moscow as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

However, the Solomon Islands will take part this year, despite recent tensions with Australia over a controversial security pact with China – a topic expected to dominate discussions during the event.

The theme of the conference is Australia and the Indo-Pacific: A Commonality of Purpose.

The theme of the conference is Australia and the Indo-Pacific: A Commonality of Purpose. Picture: Supplied

Ahead of the launch of the conference, Australia’s Navy Chief Vice Admiral Mike Noonan said the evolving nature of “grey-zone” activities in the Indo-Pacific would be a major focus.

“While these activities don’t meet the threshold of something that would trigger conflict, they involve coercive activities such as the militarisation of disputed features or the coercive use of trade and economic levers,” he said.

“These tactics are a common concern for Australia and other countries in the region, and we cannot respond to them alone.

“Our navy works collaboratively with other regional navies to respond to these challenges as part of our shared commitment to a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

He said the Indo-Pacific was undergoing the most consequential strategic alignment since WWII, with greater competition between major players, more rapid technological advancement and the modernisation of militaries.

Australia tore up Russia and China’s invites. Pictures: Getty Images

“In this increasingly uncertain environment, our navy must grow in size, shape and capability in order to effectively shape our environment, deter actions against Australia’s interests and, if necessary, respond with military force to fight and win at sea,” he said.

“Our navy’s fleet is evolving significantly over the next two decades to meet the challenges of our strategic environment.

“Australia must have a strong sovereign defence industry to deliver and sustain the quality, technologically advanced capabilities navy people need to keep them safe and to do their job.”

Also on the agenda this year will be Australia’s participation in the AUKUS partnership and the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the deal, which was announced last year.

The snub comes hot on the heels of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, which were marked by a military parade and a speech by President Vladimir Putin, who drew parallels between the war against Adolf Hitler’s army in WWII and the invasion in Ukraine today.

He declared that the war was necessary because Western forces were “preparing for the invasion of our land, including Crimea”.

Mr Putin called it an “absolutely unacceptable threat” and said Russian forces in Ukraine were continuing the battle against Nazism, but that it was important “to do everything so that the horror of a global war does not happen again”.

“You are fighting for your Motherland, its future,” he told troops at the annual parade.

“The death of every soldier and officer is painful for us. The state will do everything to take care of these families.

“For Russia, for victory, hurrah!”

Originally published as Australia’s massive snub against China and Russia revealed