Indo-Pacific still ‘top of the list’

Ahead of Anthony Albanese’s visit to Beijing in nine days, the Biden administration has raised legitimate concerns about China’s ongoing intimidation, coercion and maritime claims. Last week, the Pentagon released new details about China’s “sharp increase” in coercive behaviour in the South and East China seas. It cited 180 dangerous incidents since 2021, “more in the past two years than in the entire decade before that”.

A sharp reminder occurred last weekend when a Chinese coastguard vessel collided with a Philippines ship trying to resupply Filipino military personnel on the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. These belong to The Philippines but China is aggressively asserting its claim to them.

The situation underlines the need for caution when the Prime Minister is feted, as he undoubtedly will be, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He must avoid any assumption that China, in seeking to repair the bilateral relationship with Australia, is doing anything other than advancing its national interest. The gradual lifting of trade embargoes that China placed on our exports over Scott Morrison’s call for an investigation into how the Covid-19 pandemic began obviously will help Australia but it also will benefit China.

On the positive side, Joe Biden’s National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, said despite the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the administration’s focus on the Asia-Pacific region remained “right at the top of the list”. In view of the warning by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo that the world would face a “great deal of pain” if Beijing cut off its dominant critical minerals supply chain, Mr Albanese’s decision to lift support to unlock Australia’s critical minerals deposits and build “sustainable and secure critical minerals supply chains with the US” is highly constructive for both nations. The US, the EU, China, India, Gulf states and Southeast Asian nations all want access to Australia’s vast critical minerals resources to achieve net-zero emissions, diversify away from fossil fuels, and drive new artificial intelligence and defence advancements. A reliable supply chain between Australia and the US, our most important strategic partner, serves the interests of both nations and that of peace.