Wong Urges Caution to Andrews Ahead of China Trip Following Japan Talks
TOKYO – foreignโ Minister Penny Wong has cautioned Victorianโค Premier Daniel Andrews to consider national interests as he plans a trade delegation toโฃ China, following high-level security discussions in Japan focused on regional stability โฃand the evolving strategic landscape. โค
Wong, alongside Defense Ministerโ Richard marles, met with Japanese counterparts this week, reaffirming aโข deepening security partnership amid growingโ concerns about China’s assertiveness. Wong described the discussions as “an expression of the complex strategic landscape which we’ve nowโ been articulating sence we came to government.”
The โขmeetings occurred shortly after Australia announced a $10 billion dealโข to purchase Japanese-made Mogami-class frigates – Japan’s largest everโข defence export deal. The contract, expected to โคbe finalised early nextโ year, will see the โfirst three โfrigates built in Japan for โขrapid โdeployment, with the remaining eight constructedโ inโข Australia.
“There isโฃ a real intentโ on both sides to see โฃthose negotiations move forward quickly,”โข Marles stated. He emphasized the frigate selection was โคbased on its suitability forโข the Australian navy, while simultaneously strengthening the Australia-Japan strategic alliance.
Wong statedโฃ Australia is responding to regional challenges by โขbuilding closer tiesโ with partners like Japan โคand “modernisingโฃ and build[ing] our โdefence force.” She โaffirmed Australia’sโฃ commitmentโข to “asserting the โคrules-based order, and secondly, making our contributionโฃ to the โคpeace and stability of the region in whichโข we โlive.”