Australian PM urges nations to protect rules-based order against Beijing’s aggression.
Prime Minister Albanese Calls for Protection of International Rules-Based Order
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged the world to safeguard the current international rules-based order from the ambitions of the Chinese regime.
On Oct. 26, the prime minister delivered a keynote address at a state lunch co-hosted by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“China has been explicit: it does not see itself as a status-quo power,” Mr. Albanese said.
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“It seeks a region and a world that is much more accommodating of its values and interests. This is where it is the responsibility of every nation that has benefited from the stability and prosperity of the international rules-based order through the last three-quarters of a century, to work together and protect it,” emphasized Mr. Albanese.
Mr. Albanese also highlighted Australia’s role in facilitating dialogue between the U.S. government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“As a constructive middle power with global interests, we understand the value and importance of dialogue. Which is why Australia strongly supports the Biden Administration’s efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
The prime minister reiterated that AUKUS—a trilateral security partnership between the United States, the UK, and Australia—is not aimed at provoking the Chinese regime, but rather at preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region and South China Sea.
AUKUS, announced in late 2021, aims to consolidate Western defensive capabilities. Under the agreement, the United States and the UK will assist Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and collaborate on advanced areas such as cyber, undersea capabilities, and quantum technology.
Mr. Albanese affirmed that Australia’s approach to relations with the CCP has been “patient, calibrated, and deliberate” and will continue during his upcoming visit to Beijing and Shanghai in early November.
During his visit, the prime minister will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Nov. 4. He will then travel to Shanghai to attend the China International Import Expo.
After the Morrison government’s call for an inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCP launched an economic coercion campaign against Australian exporters, imposing sanctions on various agricultural products.
Chinese Militarisation
The CCP has significantly bolstered the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) over the past decade.
An annual Pentagon report to Congress revealed that the PLA’s nuclear arsenal currently contains over 500 warheads, with the potential to reach 1000 by the end of the year.
The PLA is the world’s largest active-duty military force, consisting of approximately 2.185 million active, 1.17 million reserve, and 660,000 paramilitary personnel.
It also possesses the largest navy in the world numerically, with over 370 ships and submarines, including more than 140 major surface combatants.
In response to former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the PLA fired several rockets over the democratic island in August 2022.
The CCP has also rapidly militarized the South China Sea, fully arming three artificial island bases with advanced weaponry and fighter jets.
U.S. Admiral and commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command John Aquilino expressed deep concern over the PRC’s military buildup, stating, “I think over the past 20 years we’ve witnessed the largest military buildup since World War Ⅱ by the PRC [People’s Republic of China]. They have advanced all their capabilities and that buildup of weaponization is destabilizing the region.”
Mr. Aquilino also refuted claims made by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang earlier this year that the United States and Chinese regimes are destined for war if Washington continues its current path.
Mr. Aquilino clarified that the United States does not seek military conflict with the CCP, emphasizing, “First and foremost, the United States is not seeking conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. Second, we do not seek to contain the People’s Republic of China… Third, the United States has not changed our policies toward Taiwan, and we do not support independence.”
Both the United States and Australia adhere to the CCP’s One China Policy and do not formally recognize Taiwan as an independent nation. However, they maintain an “unofficial” relationship with Taiwan, promoting economic, trade, and cultural interests.
How can the international community come together to address China’s challenges while upholding the principles and values that underpin the international rules-based order
And submarines, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and ballistic missile submarines.
In addition to its military buildup, the CCP has been assertive in its territorial claims in the South China Sea, where it has constructed artificial islands and militarized them with advanced weapons systems. This has raised concerns among neighboring countries and the international community about China’s intentions and its willingness to abide by international law.
Prime Minister Albanese’s call for the protection of the international rules-based order is a timely reminder of the challenges posed by China’s ambitions. The international rules-based order, which includes principles such as respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and peaceful resolution of disputes, has been instrumental in maintaining stability and promoting cooperation among nations.
However, China’s assertiveness and disregard for international norms have raised doubts about its commitment to this order. The CCP’s actions in the South China Sea, its economic coercion against Australia, and its human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong have undermined the principles on which the international rules-based order is built.
It is essential for like-minded countries to come together and reaffirm their commitment to the international rules-based order. As Prime Minister Albanese rightly emphasized, every nation that has benefited from the stability and prosperity of this order has a responsibility to protect it. This requires collective action and cooperation to address China’s challenges while upholding the principles that underpin the international system.
Australia, as a middle power with global interests, has played a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and China. The AUKUS partnership, which focuses on security and defense cooperation, is not a provocation against China but a means to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Albanese’s upcoming visit to Beijing and Shanghai is an opportunity to engage with Chinese leaders and continue the dialogue. Australia’s approach to relations with China has been measured and deliberate, and this approach should continue to guide its engagement with the CCP.
At the same time, it is crucial to address China’s militarization efforts and its assertiveness in the South China Sea. The PLA’s rapid modernization and expansion of its nuclear arsenal are destabilizing and raise concerns about a potential arms race in the region. The international community must closely monitor and respond to these developments to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Protecting the international rules-based order requires a unified and coordinated response from the international community. It is not about isolating or containing China but about upholding the principles and values that have underpinned the international system for decades.
Prime Minister Albanese’s call should serve as a wake-up call for nations to work together and address the challenges posed by China’s ambitions. By protecting the international rules-based order, we can ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all nations and uphold the principles that have served as the foundation of the global order.
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