Australia is taking a firm stance against China's increasingly assertive military expansion, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong set to deliver a blunt warning to Beijing: it will not be bullied or coerced. The remarks come in the wake of a provocative and destabilising launch by China of a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile in early July. This incident is part of China's rapid military build-up, including its nuclear arsenal, which has raised alarm bells across the region.
Minister Wong will make her address on Thursday at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Philippines, where she will also tackle allegations of aggression by Chinese vessels towards Filipino, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Indonesian ships in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Australia has consistently voiced concerns over this conduct, describing it as a clear threat to regional stability.
The tensions come at a time of escalating global instability, with renewed conflict between the US and Iran driving up international Brent crude prices by 23% in the last fortnight. This surge in fuel costs is biting hard on consumers and businesses worldwide, including in Australia, where petrol and diesel prices have skyrocketed. The Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen have also announced a blockade of Saudi ports, further complicating global energy supply chains.
Ms Wong will caution world leaders against imposing 'tolls' or 'weaponising' the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies. With much of Southeast Asia reliant on the strait for fuel and energy, any disruption would pose a grave challenge to regional economies. The Australian Foreign Minister will highlight how rising energy prices are increasing costs for families and businesses across Southeast Asia and putting pressure on food production, underscoring the interconnectedness of global trade routes.
The Australian government views regional cooperation as crucial in mitigating these challenges. Ms Wong is expected to appeal to ASEAN nations for their assistance in addressing potential supply and trade gaps. She will articulate that the flow of essential goods, such as fuel and fertiliser, to Australia ultimately benefits the wider region by supporting food production and stability, reinforcing the message that open sea lanes are vital for collective prosperity.