South China Sea: Rivals agree pact to ‘tighten defensive ties’ amid anger over Beijing
Australia and Japan agreed a defence pact over the disputed waters, admitting it had “serious concerns about China‘s strategic moves”. This will see the two nations team up to carry out military manoeuvres while operating in what’s been described as the world’s most expensive stretch of sea. But the row deepened after Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanded there be “stability and prosperity” for all nations looking to work in the South China Sea, while raising concerns over Beijing’s handling of Hong Kong, claiming it should be a “region free from coercion”.
