China has asked the US if the real purpose behind the AUKUS agreement is to “surround” the communist superpower, Joe Biden has revealed as he confirmed the multi-billion-dollar security pact will go ahead despite concerns it may be knocked back by Congress.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held talks with the US President in Washington, with the pair then fronting the media together on Wednesday (local time) to field questions on the nuclear submarine deal.
The US President said the free world was predominantly supportive of the security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the US, but said his Chinese counterpart had concerns.
“When we put together the deal, I was asked by Xi Jinping if we were just trying to surround China. I said ‘no, we’re not surrounding China. We’re just making sure that the sea lanes remain open’,” he said.
“It’s in addition to the fact that we put together the Quad, which they didn’t like.”
The pair spent the joint press conference reiterating their AUKUS alliance, while stressing the importance of working with Pacific countries.
Australia has committed $3 billion to the US and the UK’s industrial bases to ensure the pact is successful.
A number of Republicans, and some Democrats, have tried to delay legislating the agreement, arguing it could cost significantly more than some estimates suggested.
Mr Biden, however, said he was confident he will be granted the $3.4 billion required to advance the agreement because it is “overwhelmingly in our interest”.
“Australia is making a significant investment in the United States and its ability to produce submarines as part of this deal. And more importantly, it’s important that Congress move quickly,” he said.
“The question is not if but when.”
Mr Albanese said he trusted the US will follow through on the agreement, citing broad support from both Democrats and Republicans on the matter.
“It is in the interest of Australia, but it’s also in the interest of the United States,” he said.
“And everyone that I have spoken to, similarly in the United Kingdom, across the political spectrum are all supportive of the AUKUS arrangements.”
The Prime Minister has maintained optimism about the deal and defended his level of financial contribution.
“We don’t seek to just be someone who is watching. We seek as well to play a role in security in the Indo-Pacific. And one way we do that is through AUKUS, by lifting up our own capacity,” he said on Tuesday.
“The combination of the three nations cooperating when it comes to defence capacity lifts the capacity of everyone, of all three countries. That’s what this is about. Win-win-win for Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.”
Source : SkyNews
