Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/28/australia-to-upgrade-military-bases-expand-wargames-with
Australia recently announced it will spend $580m on new training facilities and upgrades two military bases in it’s north, such as creating accommodations for larger aircrafts in the Northern Territory and updating firing ranges.
The four military bases Australia is renovating represents an expansion of war games it is partaking in with the U.S.. Australia and the U.S. are Indo-Pacific neighbors and strong allies, the two states are working together to strengthen their defenses in the Pacific. The updates are planned to be completed by 2026. Additionally, Australia and the United States are participating in war exercises over the summer and joining a multi-national military drill with a number of other countries, including India, Japan, and the UK.
The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was quoted, “Our focus is on pursuing peace, stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific, with a world order that favors freedom.” When examining this quote by itself it appears to be an international perspective rooted in liberal theory, emphasizing peace and freedom. However, when analyzing the quote in the context of the depleting relationship between China and Australia, it is clear that the quote was aimed at Beijing.
These upgrades are arriving as tension between China and Australia are quickly escalating. One of Australia’s most senior officials recently claimed that liberal democracies must “brace for war” in reaction to the deterioration of China and Australia’s relationship.
Taiwan is at the root of the rise in tension, however their relationship began to decline when the Australian government placed blame for the pandemic on their Chinese counterparts. Since, Beijing has placed damaging tariffs on Australian barley and wine along with blocking coal shipments. China is Australia’s largest trading partner, therefore these developments have drastic effects on the state’s economy.
The Prime Minister Morrison also suspended a previous extradition agreement with Hong Kong, extending visas for roughly 10,000 Hong Kong people already in Australia, due to concerns over a recent national security law imposed by China.
As a result of these tensions, Australia has issued a warning to its citizens claiming that they may be at an increased risk of detention on vague national security grounds. Additionally, Australia has canceled multiple deals related to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, apparently due to national security concerns. China has condemned this decision, claiming it would further impair the two states’ relationship.
While the rise in tension between Australia and China is alarming, threatening military conflict, it would be against both states’ national interests to engage in significant warfare. Australia depends on China for trade, clashing with their largest trade partner would cause immense damage. Additionally, Australia has demonstrated, and continues to demonstrate, that it has support and alliances with a variety of world and regional powers. As China establishes itself as a global hegemon, entering a conflict with multiple adversaries would likely deplete Beijing’s chances of achieving the international influence it is seeking, and, possibly, strip if of any power at all.