Defence Minister Richard Marles can't answer important China question four months on from unprecedented 'show of force' in Australia's backyard
Defence Minister Richard Marles was quizzed on the threat China poses in the Indo-Pacific at Newscorp's 'Defending Australia' summit on Monday.
'In conventional terms, unquestionably, (China) is at the heart of the complex strategic circumstances that we face,' the Deputy Prime Minister said.
However, Marles stopped short of naming China as a military threat, instead saying it was not providing reassurance to other countries around its intentions regarding its biggest military expansion since the Second World War.
'(China) is engaging in a military build-up of that scale... without strategic reassurance.'
'Every country has a right to properly invest in its own defences, but what's really important is that you provide strategic reassurance to your neighbours and to the world about what that's about, as we have done with AUKUS,' he added.
The Prime Minister was similarly guarded last week when asked at the National Press Club in Canberra if China was a threat.
'I think that our engagement with the region and the world needs to be diplomatic, needs to be mature and needs to avoid the, you know, attempts to simplify what are a complex set of relationships,' he said.
This is despite the Chinese navy conducting live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea in February, without giving prior notification to the Australian government.
The alert was first picked up on the 121.5 MHz emergency radio channel by a Virgin Australia pilot, later prompting 49 commercial flights to reroute.
The naval fleet of four vessels, including a cruiser, a frigate, a supply tanker and possibly a submarine, then circumnavigated Australia's coastline in an unprecedented move that most defence analysts interpreted as a show of force.
It comes after Albanese was last week urged to boost Australia's defence spending or risk being stranded in 'no-man's-land' with a 'paper IDF'.
A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute praised the Labor government's commitment to long-term defence projects, such as the AUKUS submarine deal, but warned it was not doing nearly enough in the immediate future.
'That slow pace risks leaving the ADF ill-prepared for current threats and unable to keep pace with future challenges, creating a 'no-man's-land' of preparedness,' the report's author and former Home Affairs deputy secretary Marc Ablong wrote.
'The timelines for major acquisitions, especially the nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, extend well into the next decade and beyond.
'While those future capabilities are strategically important, they offer little immediate enhancement, thus creating a 'paper ADF' that lacks readiness for near-term conflict scenarios.'
US President Donald Trump has called on Australia to boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP - up from the current rate of around 2.3 per cent.
The US administration has also launched a 30-day review of the $368 billion AUKUS submarine deal.
The pact between Australia, the US, and the UK is aimed at countering China's expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific.
But the Pentagon review will assess whether the deal meets Trump's 'America First' objectives.
Albanese is expected to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later this week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Trump says he is pushing for ceasefire to end Thailand and Cambodia's border conflict
Donald Trump has called for a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand as the fighting along the border between the two countries continued into a third day. The US president said he had spoken to Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Manet, and was in the process of calling Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to end the war 'which is currently raging.' He posted on his social media platform Truth Social: 'Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging. 'We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so! The call with Thailand is being made momentarily. 'The call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say. 'I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.' Not long after, the US president – currently golfing in Scotland – shared an update to confirm that the Mr Wechayachai also wanted an immediate ceasefire. 'I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. 'I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!' At least 33 people have died and more than 168,000 have been displaced by the border clashes. Artillery fire and gunshots were reported near several border villages, expanding the area of the fighting that flared again Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Officials from both sides of the border have claimed to have acted in retaliation. The UN has placed pressure on the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to defuse the situation between its two members. During an emergency meeting on Friday, members of the UN Security Council called for de-escalation and urged ASEAN to mediate a peaceful solution. The 500-mile frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but previous confrontations have been limited and brief. Current tensions rose after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation in May that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. Both sides have employed rocket and artillery attacks, and a Thai military spokesperson confirmed cluster munitions could be used 'when necessary' after Cambodia claimed the internationally prohibited weapons were being deployed. Human rights advocates have urged the UN Security Council and concerned governments to press the Thai and Cambodian governments to abide by international humanitarian law, with Human Rights Watch condemning what it has alleged is the use of cluster munitions in populated areas. Neither country is party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use of the weapon in such areas.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
WeRide receives permit for robotaxis in Shanghai
July 26 (Reuters) - Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide (WRD.O), opens new tab said on Saturday it has been granted a permit from the Shanghai municipal government to operate autonomous robotaxi ride-hailing services. WeRide, in partnership with Chery Group and Jinjiang Taxi, will deploy fully driverless ride-hailing robotaxis on public roads in the Pudong New Area, the company said in a statement.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before you board an Oceania Cruises' ship
Ever since its founding in 2002, Oceania has pitched itself as a premium foodie cruise line serving 'the finest cuisine at sea' – a tag line the company has trademarked. Backing up the claim, its ships have one chef for every 10 passengers and, because there's no point serving good food unless people eat it, there is no charge to dine in its speciality restaurants, unlike on other ships. The company originally chartered two small ships, Insignia and Regatta. Now it has eight vessels, including four larger new builds. The latest, Oceania Allura (1,200 passengers), launched in July 2025. Another new ship, Oceania Sonata, is due in 2027, with three sister ships to follow between 2029 and 2035. In recent years, Oceania has added 'leading destination line' and wellness to its attributes, along with excursions designed to connect passengers to places and cultures through history, food, yoga and 'go local' trips to quieter villages and places off the tourist trail in big cities. Since 2014, Oceania has been part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent of mass-market Norwegian Cruise Line and ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 1. Where does Oceania cruise? Eight ships are enough to cover pretty much all corners of the world. Chances are wherever you want to go, Oceania can take you there, even if you want to go penguin-spotting in Antarctica. Staying with long-haul, Oceania has cruises in Asia, South America and through the Panama Canal, and island-hopping voyages in the Caribbean almost exclusively round-trip from Miami. Cruises in French Polynesia from Tahiti are among its best-selling cruises. Closer to home, cruises in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles in the summer and autumn visit popular places including Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Santorini and Rhodes. However, Oceania's ships are small enough (they hold 670-1,250 passengers), to call into lesser-known ports inaccessible to large vessels. Canakkale in Turkey, the gateway to Gallipoli and Troy, is one such; Olbia in Sardinia – where food, wine and 4x4 adventures are among excursions – is another. In the Baltic, with calls into St Petersburg no longer an option, Oceania has found new places for passengers to explore, including Kotka in Finland and Liepaja in Latvia, the former offering nature walks and rafting, the latter known for its art nouveau heritage and the world's largest mechanical organ. For those who prefer not to fly, five cruises from Southampton in 2026 either circumnavigate the UK and Ireland, explore Scandinavia or combine the two. Durations range from seven nights to a month or more and often include overnights in A-list cities such as Istanbul, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. There are 180-day world voyages each January. In 2027 passengers will depart Miami for Southampton, and there's an option to sail on to New York, extending the cruise by 64 days. 2. Who does Oceania Cruises appeal to? A typical Oceania cruiser is a well-travelled, well-off American, aged 65 or over who likes smaller ships, enjoys the refined but not dressy atmosphere on board and wants to see the world in comfort without paying top dollar for an all-inclusive and more spacious ultra-luxury cruise line. Oceania pitches itself as a luxury line with fares that cover tips, Wi-Fi and soft drinks as well as dining in speciality restaurants. Alcohol and excursions cost extra, likewise flights and transfers. While the majority of Oceania passengers are from North America, the brand counts plenty of British and Australians of a similar age and social profile among its fan base. Families are welcome, but you are more likely to see older multi-generational groups, as there is no child care or entertainment for children. Wherever they're from, passengers will likely have an appreciation for good food. Those who are really keen can improve their skills in culinary centres on the four new ships and sign up for food-themed excursions, such as shopping with a chef or cookery lessons with locals. Passengers also enjoy Oceania's longer cruises. As proof, all cabins and suites on the 180-day world cruise in January 2026 are already wait-listed. 3. Oceania Cruises' fleet Regatta-class Oceania Insignia, Oceania Nautica, Oceania Regatta, Oceania Sirena (670 passengers) Built 25 or more years ago, these are the old ladies of the fleet, but plenty of Oceania cruisers prefer them for their more intimate size. They've been spruced up over the years but they are not as luxurious as their newer fleet mates, and cabins and suites are quite compact, although many have balconies. Expect two speciality restaurants – the Asian-inspired Red Ginger and Tuscan Steak on Sirena; Toscana and Polo Grill on the others – in addition to the grand dining room and buffet, and an alfresco grill by a small pool. Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Panama Canal, Canada and New England, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific and Africa Oceania-class ships Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera (1,250 passengers) Oceania went larger with its first new vessels, almost doubling the size of its Regatta ships, so it could add two more restaurants – the French Jacques and Asian-inspired Red Ginger – as well as the first cookery schools at sea. Three butler-served Owner's Suites span the width of the ships and are furnished in Ralph Lauren Home. A Lalique staircase dazzles in each atrium; elsewhere expect an elegant, conservative look. Allura-class ships Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura (1,200 passengers) Oceania fans had to wait 10 years after Riviera for another new ship, with Vista launching in 2023 and Allura following in 2025. They are slightly smaller but the layout is similar and the look much brighter. Notably there's a larger culinary centre and a new restaurant, Aquamar, serving healthier food but only for breakfast and lunch. French restaurant Jacques makes a comeback on Allura (it will be added to Vista in October 2025). Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Panama Canal, Asia, Canada/New England, world cruises 4. Loyalty scheme Cruisers become members of the Oceania Club after their first sailing and then work their way up through seven levels, earning everything from bottles of wine and on-board credit to free drinks packages and even free cruises. 5. Access for guests with disabilities All ships have wheelchair-accessible cabins and lifts to all decks, except a half portion of deck at the very top, and front of the ships.
