- The Strategist - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au -
Inserting iron in the idiom on the East China Sea
Posted By Graeme Dobell on December 2, 2013 @ 06:00
When you change the government, you change the country, a previous Prime Minister once said. And one of the many things that changes is the way a new government thinks about international relations and the foreign policy language it uses or is prepared to adopt.
Ministers opposed any coercive or unilateral actions that could change the status quo in the East China Sea. They underlined the importance of efforts to reduce tensions and to avoid miscalculations or accidents in the East China Sea, including by improving marine communications.
What has prompted the Australian government to express such new language as ‘oppose any coercive and unilateral actions to change the status quo’, which was never heard before the 2013 Trilateral Strategic Dialogue. Is the change of government in any way a factor here? Or, more simply, has the changing strategic situation encouraged Australia to take a firmer stance?
Continuing to build positive, comprehensive relationships with China, in support of China's responsible and constructive participation in the international rules-based order and role in promoting regional prosperity and stability while encouraging improved openness and transparency with respect to China's military modernization and activities.
Promoting regional adherence to norms of maritime security and safety, including freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, and the rules-based peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea and beyond in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Article printed from The Strategist: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au
URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/inserting-iron-in-the-idiom-on-the-east-china-sea/
[1] Image: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/abbott_PM.jpg
[2] previous column: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/haunting-ausmin/
[3] communiqué from the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue between Australian, Japan and the US: http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/jb_mr_131004.html
[4] November 20AUSMIN communiqué: http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/jb_mr_131120.html
[5] on the sidelines of the ShangriLa dialogue in Singapore: http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/06/02/minister-for-defence-australia-japan-united-states-defence-ministers-trilateral-meeting/
[6] 4th Australia–Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations: http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/bc_mr_120914a.html
[7] ‘strategic partnership’: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2013-04/16/c_132313403.htm
[8] agreement for an annual bilateral leadership summit: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/gillard-scores-coup-with-china-agreement-20130409-2hjin.html
[9] U.S Embassy Kabul Afghanistan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabulpublicdiplomacy/10868429403/sizes/z/in/photolist-hypxpR-hynZa4-b4KD9R-hyovcY-eSNWP7-aT1ct6-8tQnc3-eLLanT-bncV67-bncW7q-bA7L1Z-bncVks-bncVSy-bncVCj-5HHqy1-bncdrY-bA7cun-bnkfdu-bAg4Cc-bnmmKL-bnckvy-bnmjSJ-bAgpdg-bA77Rz-bnkdJS-bAfhq2-bAg8CT-bAggjt-aUXgpP-e34tfw-aUXgsP-cuzv25-8znFaH-8mRj3L-9Rd7yE-7E6U71-bnmwrC-bnk2ky-bAfdUg-bAgc9V-bnmqwS-bnmqUs-bA77DD-bA7cTt-bAg9qZ-bnms4J-bnmva3-bAgphZ-bnmrYd-bA79Kp-bAgaat/