Illegal salvage operators were believed to have targeted the HMS Repulse and the HMS Prince of Wales,which were sunk in 1941 by Japanese torpedoes.
China’s security pact with Solomon Islands alarmed policymakers and entrenched the belief that Australia needs to do more in the Pacific.
The strategic waterway is one of world’s most important shipping lanes for oil,minerals and food – but the biggest asset up for grabs in the South China Sea is Big Data.
The US has given the Philippines an ironclad commitment to defend the country as it faces growing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Beijing’s increasing aggression towards the Philippines,Japan and Taiwan points to an administration intent on flexing its regional muscle.
The decommissioned navy corvette was sacrificed during war games that involved 17,600 troops,including more than 100 Australians.
A US Navy destroyer passed through waters claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea,as China begins its third day of military drills around Taiwan.
China wants to make its control of Taiwan a fait accompli by convincing the world to accept its view that the island is rightfully a province of the PRC.
President Ferdinand Marcos jnr has plenty else to worry about too,including internal ructions over food prices and cultural icons,political violence and a sunken oil tanker.
I want to emphasise that China-Australia relations are mutually beneficial. What Australia needs is opportunities and partners,not threats and imaginary enemies.
Indonesia is concerned Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines could instigate a regional arms race that would heighten tensions.