Australia-Japan-United States Defense Ministers Meeting Joint Press Statement

Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, Japanese Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya, and U.S.Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, convened a trilateral defense ministerial meeting in Singapore on June 1 on the margins of the 18th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit (2019 Shangri-La Dialogue). The ministers were united in their shared commitment to do more together in support of security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. This was the eighth meeting among the three nations’ defense leaders.

Minister Iwaya and Acting Secretary Shanahan congratulated Minister Reynolds on her appointment to Minister for Defence following Australia’s recent elections. The ministers affirmed their shared vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is open, inclusive, rules based and respectful of sovereignty, where disputes are resolved peacefully and free of coercion. The ministers recognized the importance of supporting Association of South East Asian Nations-led regional architecture and their support for ASEAN centrality which has played an instrumental role in establishing norms of behavior and habits of cooperation in the region. The Australian and Japanese ministers welcomed the United States Indo-Pacific Strategy Report announced by Acting Secretary Shanahan. The ministers agreed to continue to closely coordinate support to the region to maximize the benefits of their national and combined engagement activities in the region in a transparent, efficient and effective manner under their shared strategic vision.

The ministers underscored the importance of the international community’s ongoing commitment to achieving North Korea’s abandonment of all of its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles, and related programs and facilities in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). The ministers welcomed the United States’ and Republic of Korea’s diplomatic efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea and called on North Korea to return to negotiations with the United States toward this goal. They confirmed that while a diplomatic path to peace on the Korean Peninsula exists, North Korea remains an extraordinary threat, exemplified by its recent missile launches, that requires continued vigilance. They agreed to continue to fully enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The ministers welcomed and reaffirmed their commitment to sustained international cooperation to deter, disrupt, and ultimately eliminate illicit activities, such as illegal ship-to-ship transfers.

The ministers expressed strong opposition to the use of any coercive unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo or increase tensions in the East China Sea. They also expressed their intention to remain in close contact on the security situation in that area with a view to deter such actions.

The ministers discussed the importance of adherence to international law and their shared commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. The ministers remained seriously concerned about any action including militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea that are destabilizing or dangerous. They emphasized the importance of the peaceful resolution of conflict in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and expressed strong opposition to the use of force or coercion to alter the status quo; calling instead for all countries in the region to take meaningful steps to ease tension and build trust. All sides called for the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to be consistent with existing international law, as reflected in UNCLOS; to not prejudice the interests of third parties or the rights of all states under international law; to reinforce existing inclusive regional architecture; and to strengthen parties’ commitments to cease actions that would complicate or escalate disputes.

The ministers underscored their commitment to work with their Pacific partners to support a Pacific region that is prosperous, secure and respects sovereignty. The ministers welcomed and acknowledged the significance of each state’s military-to-military activities, particularly when those activities contributed to whole of government engagement with the Pacific.

The ministers agreed on a Strategic Action Agenda (SAA) that articulates their shared long-term vision for trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They affirmed the SAA would enable their respective defense organizations to plan and implement enhanced trilateral defense cooperative activities.

The ministers underscored the close defense relationship between the three countries, and agreed to do more to coordinate their respective regional defense engagement activities, such as joint exercises and training and capacity building.

I’m sure the Chicoms are not standing idly by but are busy creating their own defense pacts and co-prosperity zone. So, Where and when will we have the Chinese version Pearl Harbor 2.0?

The Chicoms are not adverse to massive losses. One only has to look at Mao’s war against the nationalists, Korea, and the 1960s cultural war. The same organization was running the country as is today.

The US won’t be able to shift trade to SE Asia. If China doesn’t get its share, they are in position to make sure that the US or anyone else will not profit.

IMHO if trade increases to other SE Asian countries they should have increased revenue Creating a higher need to protect their infrastructure and a better means to help pay for it.

Also, if the money supply slows to the Chicoms they would have less $$$ to invest in their military or the ability to fund aggressive operations for an extended time.

>> IMHO if trade increases to other SE Asian = mistake. Bring it home baby. <<

Agree On what we can bring home but need to have buyers of our goods other than just here.

Raising the economic levels in places other than China Can build better trade partners that are less hostile

That didn’t seem to stop China in 1952 Korea and they were a lot poorer then. China also still hold US treasuries.

Remember China borders Vietnam and is close to Thailand. They are also close to Malaysia Philippines Indonesia. The US has a much tougher logistical task. Add a serious crisis in Iran or Syria and China will have the upper hand,

If the Chinese begin to see rebellion or unrest as a result of unemployment or poverty, they will probably adopt a war footing. However if the Chinese can somehow find a way to grow their economy without US trade, they will also be emboldened to flex their muscles.

I don’t see the Chinese just giving in. There could be a deal but it probably would be a fraud. if the US wants to go after trade with China, it can’t do the same with multiple nations simultaneously.

If the US is weakened as a result of multiple trade conflicts, don’t expect support from traditional allies.

Great article. Thx

Was surprised at how many bio/med. jobs there are here (850,000) vs the current threat by China who apparently manufactures many of our pharma products.. bring those jobs home.

Before I get too old I’d like to be able to buy an American made washing machine, dishwasher etc. our enviro laws are what force much to be made off shore.

Bottom line ..... America is So Blessed to have DJT they should be falling on their knees with thanks. Instead we have the leftist morons trying to make us commit national suicide.

Now I need to quit reading during the productive part of the day and answer the call from my wife to go back out and work in the garden ..... producing products here at home while keeping the peace !

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