SYDNEY — Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that building an Indo-Pacific alliance with like-minded nations will be a "critical priority" for his government, warning the pace of militarisation in the region was unprecedented. "Today, the Indo-Pacific is the epicentre of strategic competition," Morrison told the Aspen Security Forum, which brings government and military leaders together with experts. "Tensions over territorial claims are growing." The annual conference is being hosted using virtual digital platforms this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Australia last month said it would boost defence spending by 40% over the next 10 years, buying long-range military equipment that will be focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where both Beijing and Canberra are competing for influence.

Source: International New York Times August 05, 2020 00:45 UTC