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The Defence Minister, the Defence secretary, and the Chief of the ADF have met with counterparts from 30 nations to discuss pressing regional security issues.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles has embarked on his first overseas visit, arriving in Singapore for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue.
Alongside Secretary of Defence Greg Moriarty, and Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell, the trio have met with senior counterparts from 30 nations for the largest security dialogue in the Indo-Pacific.
The visit includes the 10th Australia-Japan-United States Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting between Minister Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo and United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
“I am honoured to represent Australia at such an important forum to discuss security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region in complex and challenging times,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“The Indo-Pacific is in the midst of the most consequential strategic alignment of our time. I welcome the role this dialogue plays in shaping robust conversation on strategic challenges and regional security dynamics.”
The minister noted the importance of strengthening defence and security cooperation with regional allies.
“Australia remains committed to working with our partners across the region to promote our shared interests of a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific,” he said.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, which runs from 10 to 12 June, comes just weeks after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese touched down in Tokyo for the Quad leaders’ meeting with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong also recently toured the South Pacific to shore-up alliances amid China’s efforts to expand its presence in the region.
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi had proposed the “China-Pacific Island Countries Common Development Vision”, which offers intermediate and high-level police training for Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Niue, Vanuatu, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
This was accompanied by a five-year action plan, which calls for ministerial dialogue on law enforcement capacity and police cooperation.
This included the provision of forensic laboratories, cooperation on data networks, cyber security, and smart customs systems.
The plan also advocated for a “balanced approach” on technological progress, economic development and national security – backing a China-Pacific Islands Free Trade Area and joint action on climate change and health.
However, Beijing has reportedly withdrawn its proposal after it was met with resistance from some Pacific Islands leaders.
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