Australian Defense Minister Renault and Foreign Minister Sean Penn and U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo and Defense Minister Jose Espoo (left to right) at a joint press conference
On the Washington's annual strategic meeting of the Australian and American Foreign Ministers, Australia boycott hosted a US-mandated naval exercise to defend China's right to freedom of navigation in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
The Australian Foreign minister Penn (Marise Payne) and Defense minister Reynolds (Linda Reynolds) flew to Washington yesterday to attend annual talks with US Secretary of State Pompeo and Defense minister Espoo.
The talks focused largely on China's policy, with intense discussions on China's behavior and agreement to strengthen national defense cooperation.
Pompeo praised Australia for a series of anti-China actions in recent years.
The two sides also signed a new "statement of principles" to further expand military linkages and enhance cooperation in medical and economic development.
But the Australian side still seems to boycott the US-driven exercise in disputed waters in the South China Sea to fulfill the right to freedom of navigation.
Asked if the u.s. was pressing australia to conduct exercises in waters closer to china-controlled disputed islands and reefs, the reynolds chief replied only that this was a "subject under discussion ".
senator Reynolds said :" Our approach is consistent and we will continue to cross the sea in accordance with international law. "
But she claims that as strategic competition between the US and China intensifies, Australia will continue to criticize China's "bad behavior ".
"As we expect to be responsible participants in our region, we want China and all other countries in our region to do the same ," she told ABC today. "
senator Reynolds notes that while the relationship between the two superpowers is deteriorating and escalating, it is still far from developing into a comprehensive military conflict.
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'Although Australia and the United States have much in common, the two countries have not kept pace on all issues ,' Mr. Payne said after an annual meeting in Washington early this morning.
"Most importantly, from our point of view, we make decisions for Australia's national interests, make our own judgments, and maintain our security, prosperity and values ," she said. "
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However, both Australia and the United States "express serious concern over the recent coercive and destabilizing actions in the Indian Pacific" and share the view that China's claims on the reefs sovereignty the South China Sea are "null and void under international law ".
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Australia's foreign minister and defense chief went to Washington to attend the meeting during the severe outbreak of new coronary pneumonia in the United States, and will be self-segregated for 14 days after returning home.
