SCOMO BUYS SUB. “EATING FRESH” TENSIONS IN ASIA & WITH NEW Z

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SCOMO BUYS SUB. “EATING FRESH” TENSIONS IN ASIA & WITH NEW ZEALAND LEADER

By Darrell Egan

September 17, 2021

Fresh from Scott Morrison’s announcement to go to Washington later this year after Australian Foreign Ministers Asia and Washington visit,  Scott Morrison introduces nuclear Submarines to Australia, as part of AUKUS pact between Australia, Britain and the US to take a assertive military approach to China in the South China Sea.

It is likely this AUKUS or ORCUS nuclear submarine deal will see these pod of AUKUS Nuclear submarines sent to the South China Sea creating more heightened tensions between Australia and China, from an already rapidly deteriorating relationship.

In a hawkish pivot to Asia with the AUKUS pact, US military aircraft and weapons are looking to be stored in Australia seemingly to support sending forces into the South China Sea.

In a further development the US has pulled out Patriot missiles which appears to be in line with a pivot to Asia military redeployment build up.

Reference link: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/19/military-pivot-middle-east-saudi-arabia/

From China’s point of view they are surrounded by US military bases in South Korea and Japan with weapons pointed at them including heavy M1 Howitzer guns with a 23 kilometre range which can hit their city of Xiamen.

Fleet of AUKUS Nuclear Submarines likely for use in South China Sea.

The United States has the view they believe China cannot have primacy in the South China sea citing freedom of navigation.

However the United States have not ratified on to the United Nations Law of the Seas 1994 freedom of navigation.

In a sign China which appears to have lessened an primacy in the South China Sea, legalities are being finalised this year on a gas joint venture between the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and the China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC).

Reference link: https://www.reuters.com/article/southchinasea-philippines-energy-idUSL4N2HB1YH

New Zealand who is not a member of AUKUS and the Quadrilateral Dialogue Group and seems to be taking a more independent stance as a member of ANZUS Australia New Zealand United States co operation treaty.

Whilst New Zealand has a Pacific partnership with Australia, this nuclear submarine deal has created tension in the relationship with Prime Minister Jacinda Arden , who has announced that Australian Nuclear submarines are not welcome in New Zealand .

In a statement reported in yesterday stated Nanaia Mahuta was uncomfortable with expanding the role of the Five Eyes intelligence reach in provoking tensions in the Asia Pacific region with China.

It appears New Zealand’s principals are being put to the test with this development.

In contact with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s media adviser with some informal discussions on the issue, there has yet to be a any further response from their office, into further formal statements.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/nz-says-australias-new-nuclear-submarines-must-stay-out-its-waters-2021-09-16/

In a statement sent to me by the office of the leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP he conveyed:

 “This move by Scott Morrison will make Australia and the region less safe with inciting a risk of conflict.”

Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt.

Mirroring Adam Bandt’s comments condemning this move by Scott Morrison, ex Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating this move trades away Australia’s Sovereignty and makes Australia’s defence policy solely dependent on the United States.

Paul Keating added further concern with Australia’s current strategy in relation to China and military escalation in the South china sea if we have a situation is another reckless style Donald Trump leader is elected in the next US elections.                                                      

The tensions in Scott Morrison’s move in the public and political realm in the Pacific is evident, in what appears to be very little discussion or debate with Australia’s most important Pacific partner before making his Sub buying deal which will give fresh indigestion to others.

Darrell Egan：Contributing writer with THE SYDNEY POST /Australia & China Watcher

http://www.au.sydpost.com/?p=1060