The UK is strengthening its security ties with Australia due to ongoing conflicts with China. The UK has promised to give Australia $34 million (25 million pounds) as a commitment towards their ties and promote “stability and tranquillity” in the Indo-Pacific region.
Both the regions are deepening their security ties because of the concerns regarding China’s power and influence in the area.
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister and Australian counterpart Scott Morrison said in a joint statement on Thursday, “These funds will be used to strengthen regional resilience in areas including state threats, cyberspace and maritime security.”
The joint statement that was given by them also stated and expressed their “grave concerns” regarding alleged human rights violations in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang and the situation in Myanmar and stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.
It further stated, “Leaders reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order, including militarisation, coercion, and intimidation.
Scott Morrison, in a tweet, said, “We’re advancing our AUKUS (trilateral security partnership among USA, UK and Australia) and security ties, and doing more together in our region, including with ASEAN, and trade and science and technology.
Boris Johnson also tweeted, “The UK and Australia are the closest friends and historic allies.” He also stated that today, they are strengthening their partnership between their nations, making it a fit for the next century and grounded in our shared priorities on security, democracy and trade.
The UK and Australia are now intensifying their security ties as China is becoming more assertive regarding its territorial claims in the region. Parts of the South China Sea are also claimed by the South East Asian Nations; artificial islands are built by Beijing in military bases, deploying its Coast Guard and a maritime militia to back its claim to almost the entire sea.
