China has sounded off again on the AUKUS pact after security talks between Australia and New Zealand resolved to produce a "seamless" trans-Tasman military.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The inaugural meeting of trans-Tasman foreign and defence ministers took place in Melbourne on Thursday, with leaders making a range of commitments to bring the Anzac allies closer.
There will be more war-gaming between Australia and New Zealand, the possibility of joint military purchases, and the increasing possibility of the Kiwis joining up to pillar two of the AUKUS pact.
Australia will send a delegation to New Zealand to talks about plans to develop advanced military technologies with the US and UK.
After the election of a right-leaning government in Wellington last year, New Zealand ministers have repeatedly stressed their desire to talk in lockstep with Australia on regional security.
"We are better together than we are apart," New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins said.
Responding to the talks, China foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said AUKUS would "only exacerbate an arms race" and undermine nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
"To promote co-operation on nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies reveals a typical Cold War mentality," Mr Wang said.
"We hope that relevant countries will cherish the hard-won peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, be prudent in words and actions on relevant issues and adopt concrete actions to uphold the overall peace, stability and development in the region."
Speaking prior to the Chinese response, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he expected Beijing to respect his government's move.
"China understands countries - because they practice it themselves - when they look after their national interest and their citizens, and that's what we're doing," he said.
The Melbourne meeting - the first gathering of trans-Tasman defence and foreign ministers in the 2+2 format - agreed on a work program towards integration.
Australia Defence Minister Richard Marles said there would be "increasing integration between our military forces, including through common capability, exchanges of senior military officers and increased participation in war-fighting exercises".
Mr Marles said the goal was to "construct two defence forces which are seamless", and Ms Collins said that would extend to buying similar assets and systems.
"For the first time, we're looking to how we can work together when it comes to procurement," she said.
"Everything to do with defence purchases is expensive.
"What we can't afford to do is to go off and commit to large purchases without making sure it's going to fit in with our ally.
"(We will) make sure that when Australia is undertaking it's purchases, (we will ask) 'is it something we should be doing at the same time?'."
The two countries also resolved to continue the "2+2" meetings, and want a Five Eyes Defence Ministers meeting, bringing together Australia, NZ, US, UK and Canada, this year.
Australian Associated Press
