[International] Australia and Timor-Leste Sign Defense Agreement to Counter China's Influence
RtiTalk 小編16h ago
Australia and Timor-Leste signed a defense agreement on the 22nd, aiming to promote cybersecurity and maritime security. Australia hopes to counter China's influence in the region by strengthening cooperation with Pacific island nations.
Australian Minister for Defense Richard Marles said that as Timor-Leste's primary strategic security partner, this agreement will significantly increase the frequency of joint military exercises. He stated that this is an important moment for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Timor-Leste is located northwest of Australia and gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
In August of this year, China's Minister of National Defense Dong Jun met with the President and Prime Minister in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, expressing hope to "elevate the relationship between the two militaries to a new level."
Australia has expressed concerns about the rapid expansion of the Chinese navy and the presence of Chinese police forces in Pacific island nations.
Australia announced that Marles and Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao signed a new strategic defense agreement on the 22nd. Australia will provide AUD 62 million (approximately NT$1.41351 billion), covering areas such as cybersecurity and maritime security, infrastructure, disaster relief, and training.
Marles added that Australia will also provide Timor-Leste with three additional police patrol boats.
Gusmao believes this agreement will help Timor-Leste combat organized crime and illegal fishing.
Canberra has recently signed significant defense and economic agreements with several Pacific nations, including Vanuatu, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea, aiming to counterbalance China's influence in the Pacific region.
The agreement between Australia and Vanuatu clearly states that Australia is Vanuatu's primary policing partner and that no foreign military bases or facilities are allowed in the country.
However, Vanuatu's Minister of Police denied a requirement in the agreement to "phase out Chinese police presence." Simultaneously, Vanuatu police posted photos on social media of Chinese police training local officers to use reconnaissance drones.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=239088
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