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Japan Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, minister says
Australia's Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy gestures during the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool/File Photo By Kirsty Needham Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said on Sunday, responding to a report that the Pentagon has pressed its ally to clarify what role it would play if the U.S. and China went to war over Taiwan. Australia prioritizes its sovereignty and "we don't discuss hypotheticals", Conroy said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance but by the government of the day," he said. The Financial Times reported on Saturday that Elbridge Colby, the U.S. under-secretary of defense for policy, has been pushing Australian and Japanese defense officials on what they would do in a Taiwan conflict, although the U.S. does not offer a blank check guarantee to defend Taiwan. Colby posted on X that the Department of Defense is implementing President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda of restoring deterrence, which includes "urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense". China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. Australia's largest war-fighting exercise with the United States, involving 30,000 troops from 19 countries, opens on Sunday on Sydney Harbour. Conroy said Australia was concerned about China's military buildup of nuclear and conventional forces, and wants a balanced Indo-Pacific region where no country dominates. "China is seeking to secure a military base in the region and we are working very hard to be the primary security partner of choice for the region because we don't think that's a particularly optimal thing for Australia," he said, referring to the Pacific Islands. Security is expected to be on the agenda when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets China's leaders this week. He arrived in Shanghai on Saturday for a six-day visit. The Talisman Sabre exercise will span 6,500 km, from Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island to the Coral Sea on Australia's east coast. Conroy said it was possible China's navy would be watching the exercise to collect information, as it had done in the past. The United States is Australia's major security ally. Although Australia does not permit foreign bases, the U.S. military is expanding its rotational presence and fuel stores on Australian bases, which from 2027 will have U.S. Virginia submarines at port in Western Australia. These would play a key role in supporting U.S. forces in any conflict over Taiwan, analysts say. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, minister says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Australia's Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy gestures during the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool/File Photo SYDNEY - Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said on July 13, responding to a report that the Pentagon has pressed its ally to clarify what role it would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan. Australia prioritises its sovereignty and 'we don't discuss hypotheticals', Mr Conroy said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 'The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance but by the government of the day,' he said. The Financial Times reported on July 12 that Mr Elbridge Colby, the US under-secretary of defence for policy, has been pushing Australian and Japanese defence officials on what they would do in a Taiwan conflict, although the US does not offer a blank cheque guarantee to defend Taiwan. Mr Colby posted on X that the Department of Defence is implementing President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda of restoring deterrence, which includes 'urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. Australia's largest war-fighting exercise with the United States, involving 30,000 troops from 19 countries, opens on July 13 on Sydney Harbour. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore Singapore Why the vape scourge in Singapore concerns everyone Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Singapore Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN Singapore Prison school to NUS: At 36, former drug abuser finds it's never too late to get a degree Singapore Driver arrested after 66-year-old woman dies in car crash at Geylang pasar malam Singapore Bland and boring? Some hospitals seek help from big names to enhance food menus for patients Asia Patriotism, peace and pain: The politics behind China's World War II narrative Mr Conroy said Australia was concerned about China's military buildup of nuclear and conventional forces, and wants a balanced Indo-Pacific region where no country dominates. 'China is seeking to secure a military base in the region and we are working very hard to be the primary security partner of choice for the region because we don't think that's a particularly optimal thing for Australia,' he said, referring to the Pacific Islands. Security is expected to be on the agenda when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets China's leaders this week. He arrived in Shanghai on July 12 for a six-day visit. The Talisman Sabre exercise will span 6,500km, from Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island to the Coral Sea on Australia's east coast. Mr Conroy said it was possible China's navy would be watching the exercise to collect information, as it had done in the past. The United States is Australia's major security ally. Although Australia does not permit foreign bases, the US military is expanding its rotational presence and fuel stores on Australian bases, which from 2027 will have US Virginia submarines at port in Western Australia. These would play a key role in supporting US forces in any conflict over Taiwan, analysts say. REUTERS
