Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is not backing down from his commitment to pump more cash into Australia’s defence, despite warnings from China’s ambassador to restraint spending.
Australia’s Defence Budget Under Scrutiny
Australia’s defence budget has come under fire from China’s Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, who urged Canberra to avoid increasing defence spending.
This comes as the US warns of a potentially “imminent” threat from China in the Indo-Pacific.
However, Albanese remains firm in his stance, saying his government will invest as much as needed in Australia’s defence and relationships.
Not Foes, Says China’s Ambassador
In an op-ed published on Monday, Xiao Qian claimed that Australia and China are “not foes” despite their regional rivalry and Beijing’s rapid military buildup.
He accused certain countries of trying to contain China because they “fear fair competition” and “cannot tolerate other countries making progress.”
US Warns of Imminent Threat
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that China could invade Taiwan as early as 2027, which would have devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.
Australia Sticks to Its Guns
Australia has brushed off requests from the US to boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, with Albanese saying his government will set its own military budget.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has admitted that China’s growing nuclear arsenal is driving “security anxiety” in Australia.
As the regional tensions escalate, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and Australia is determined to do what’s best for its national interest.