- The Strategist - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au -
China challenges Australia in the South Pacific
Posted By Graeme Dobell on October 2, 2018 @ 06:00
Australia’s intelligence and analysis agencies believe that the South Pacific now presents the greatest strategic threat to Australia, as a result of what they believe is Beijing’s intention to establish a military base in the region. This marks the first time since World War II that the South Pacific has been of such intense strategic concern to Canberra.
The prospect of a Chinese-developed port on Manus Island, along with possible Chinese development of Wewak, Kikori and Vanimo harbours in PNG, has generated concern in Canberra. A Chinese-controlled port on Manus would give Beijing a prime strategic location for projecting military power north towards US forces in Guam or south towards Australia.
Article printed from The Strategist: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au
URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-challenges-australia-in-the-south-pacific/
[1] tough and rough: https://archive.lowyinstitute.org/publications/china-and-taiwan-south-pacific-diplomatic-chess-versus-pacific-political-rugby
[2] Ma Ying-jeou: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Ying-jeou
[3] foreign policy white paper: https://www.fpwhitepaper.gov.au/
[4] relations: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/big-chill-china-australia/
[5] icy: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/cold-winds-fifth-china-oz-icy-age/
[6] age: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/oz-china-chills-in-secworld-ecworld-socworld-dipworld-polworld/
[7] ban foreign political donations: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-05/turnbull-announces-foreign-interference-laws/9227514
[8] national security concerns: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/27/marise-payne-defends-5g-ban-on-chinese-telcos-huawei-and-zte
[9] 5G network: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-23/huawei-banned-from-providing-5g-mobile-technology-australia/10155438
[10] undersea telecommunications cable: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-26/australia-to-build-undersea-internet-cable-solomon-islands/9365000
[11] Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands: http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/supporting-the-future-digital-economies-of-papua-new-guinea-and-solomon-islands.aspx
[12] purchase: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-13/chinese-company-landbridge-wins-99-year-darwin-port-lease/6850870
[13] Darwin’s port: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-20/turnbull-gets-it-wrong-on-whether-darwin-port-used-by-military/6958404
[14] Vanuatu: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/awkward-alarum-china-vanuatu-oz/
[15] Papua New Guinea: https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/are-fears-of-a-chinese-port-facility-on-manus-island-justified/
[16] declare: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/top-defence-threat-now-lies-in-the-south-pacific-from-china/news-story/bd7a80bd44841e3b08b9da7ffad5fd41
[17] writes: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/going-forward-to-manus/
[18] port: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/png-port-plan-stokes-fears-of-china-military-buildup/news-story/f0fa6fc36a1dbfc8d8acfe2bb4ea2907
[19] development: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/are-we-being-played-in-the-pacific/
[20] long history of Manus: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/manus-maketh-man/