Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles has expressed concern regarding China's significant military expansion, describing it as the largest conventional build-up since the conclusion of World War II. Speaking during a regional security context, Marles noted that these actions are generating substantial pressure throughout Southeast Asia. He emphasized the necessity for closer collaboration among international allies and partners to address these evolving security challenges. The remarks follow ongoing friction in the South China Sea, where Beijing maintains a heavy presence of naval and coast guard vessels despite international legal challenges to its territorial claims. Furthermore, Australia recently voiced opposition to China's testing of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific, characterizing the event as a destabilizing development for the region.
Source : Hong Kong Free Press
Photo : Hong Kong Free Press
