Japan And Australia Signs Security Pact In Response To CCP’s Threat

On Oct 19th, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would discuss with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida to strengthen the bilateral defense cooperation and security partnership in response to CCP’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. In 2007, then-Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo of Japan and John Howard of Australia signed an agreement to make a commitment to regional and global peace and stability. In January 2022, Fumio Kishida and then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison reached the Reciprocal Access Agreement. Albanese said in a statement that he and Kishida would discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation and achieve a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They also consider the implementation of the Reciprocal Access Agreement to enhance the capabilities of defense forces to conduct joint operations and drills. Given Australian liquified natural gas accounted for more than one third of Japanese imports, energy cooperation would also be placed at the top of the leaders’ agenda. In addition, both countries would reach a cooperation in ensuring the stable supplies of Australian rare earths and other resources. Kishida would reportedly visit the Australian western coast city of Perth from Friday to Sunday prior to the leaders’ annual meeting on Saturday.