Japan, Australia seek to align on defense as China's regional influence grows

I think this is a good thing for regional security and any other country in the region who wishes to join. I’d say our intentions are more peaceful..

I know I'm beating a dead horse but I'm going to say this anyway. I do think OZ needs to focus on a CANZUK alliance with NZ the UK and Canada. Free trade, free movement, and an aligned military that can push back against China.

While I welcome Biden's victory, it was a close election and we don't know what's going to happen in 4 years and who will be elected to the white house. The Europeans have figured out that they cannot rely soley on the US and are talking about a stronger European defense to counter Russia and China. The Canzuk countries need to do the same. We welcome the US back to the world stage, but the Trump presidency has taught us that putting all your eggs in the US basket is not a good idea

Japan and Australia are partners in peace. Promoting free trade (TPP) and freedom of navigation in the worlds oceans and seas. Any force for peace is a force for good.

A proper alliance between Japan and Australia would benefit both nations and the region. That is not yet on the table but working towards that in increments is a good thing.

Wow, so many downvotes! To the 12 who did I’d like to hear your opinions! Seriously!

I can’t speak for my whole country but I’m sure most Australians have no issue with this as we value our alliances which includes Japan.

If China insists its intentions are peaceful then why are we always reading about their constant military exercises and issues around the SCS?

China wants to steal ownership of the international waters and others EEZ area's in the SCS but there are some great nations who value freedom and rule of law that will protect against such attempts at thievery.

Given Joe Biden and his administration are currently occupied with the US election result, I hope that the success of Japan–Australia defence pact is a strong indication to remind Biden that the aggressive rise and expansion of China in the East and Southeast Asia Sea should be taken care of by his team in the next four years.

I can’t speak for my whole country but I’m sure most Australians have no issue with this as we value our alliances which includes Japan.

AustPaul,

I share with your value and you got my upvote. No worries, mate, she'll be right!

If China is that worrying why sign RCEP including china in it instead Sign another like ASEAN plus NZ plus Auz plus India Plus Japan that would make a peaceful SCS as long as one feeds china economically bullying will continue

@austpaul

most down votes were probably from pro-Chinese.

don’t expect any replies from them

A good thing for the long term stability of the region.

Aly Rustom I do think OZ needs to focus on a CANZUK alliance with NZ the UK and Canada. Free trade, free movement, and an aligned military

I agree, though I am sure Australia can manage both.

I know I'm beating a dead horse but I'm going to say this anyway. I do think OZ needs to focus on a CANZUK alliance with NZ the UK and Canada. Free trade, free movement, and an aligned military that can push back against China.

You are indeed. New Zealand has no combat air force having sold it's last combat jets in the late 1980s and a tiny little navy of no consequence. UK is a has been. About the biggest contribution they could make to the Indo-Pacific region would be to sell the Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales to the JMSDF. The JMSDF already dwarfs the Royal Navy and has arguably better equipment and training, lacking only big deck carriers and large multi-product replenishment ships. JMSDF could put those two carriers to use. UK will cut corners on their maintenance and will be selling them when they run out of money. They cannot even afford all the F-35Bs necessary to fill out their air wings and will have to rely on USMC squadrongs. Canada's Navy is focused on the Atlantic and NATO with very few ships in Esquimalt. They could add about as much as New Zealand's Navy. Australia should stick with Japan and the US. New Zealand can tag along but really, they have little to offer other than maybe moral support.

I know I'm beating a dead horse but I'm going to say this anyway. I do think OZ needs to focus on a CANZUK alliance with NZ the UK and Canada. Free trade, free movement, and an aligned military that can push back against China.

Currently, without the US, I do not believe a CANZUK alliance can defend its members against Russia or China.

Apart from having no cutting-edge military technology as pointed out by Desert Tortoise, the UK, Canada, and NZ seem to have no courage to go to war against Russia or China. Since China started building its artificial islands in the Southeast Asia Sea 2015, despite the UK government affirmed that it would send its ships to uphold the freedom of navigation rights since 2017, nothing has happened.

Having no single active fleet is a big issue for the CANZUK alliance. In case China attacked Australia, the time the warships of the UK, Canada, and NZ arrive, certain parts of Australia would have already been taken by the Chinese forces.

 UK is a has been.

It actually has the biggest and most powerful military in all of the EU.

The JMSDF already dwarfs the Royal Navy and has arguably better equipment and training,

Funny you say that, because I remember the British soldiers guarding and protecting the Japanese ones in Iraq when the latter were doing construction..

Currently, without the US, I do not believe a CANZUK alliance can defend its members against Russia or China.

they not only can, the alliance would see more than just military power. There is economic power, diplomatic pressure, etc.

the alliance is a lot more than just the military.

, the UK, Canada, and NZ seem to have no courage to go to war against Russia or China.

neither does China or Russia. the UK is a nuclear nation and an all out war would see the planet destroyed.

In case China attacked Australia, the time the warships of the UK, Canada, and NZ arrive, certain parts of Australia would have already been taken by the Chinese forces.

If they did that they would be nuked. and good riddance