The commander of the United States’ Pacific naval fleet has accused China of unlawful and coercive behaviour while flagging the iron ore trade's potential deterrence value
The commander of the United States’ Pacific naval fleet has accused China of unlawful and coercive behaviour while highlighting the importance of Perth’s location “near the boundary” of two highly strategic oceans.
US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler said China’s “fixation” on power was a risk to the rules-based-order which underpinned trade in the Indo-Pacific region.
Admiral Koehler was speaking at a Perth USAsia event on Wednesday night in which he canvassed his career, AUKUS, the future of the Pacific Fleet, and China’s behaviour toward other nations in the region.
“From my vantage point, the (People’s Republic of China’s) intentions are clear,” he said.
“As Beijing increased its power, it has steadily become more confrontational in the Indo-Pacific.
“For example, the PRC asserts vast – and unlawful -- claims to the waters and features in the South China Sea.
“The PRC attempts to reinforce these claims by behaving aggressively towards other nations’ ships and aircraft operating in international waters and airspace.”
Admiral Koehler’s pointed remarks came one day after Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Perth with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet business and political delegates in a tightly stage-managed affair.
During that visit Mr Li called for a civilized relationship between Australia and China, and said China was “willing to live under the same roof”.
But speaking on day later Admiral Koehler said China’s actions in the Pacific had been the “greatest alliance builder” for the US, which has forged treaties with Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand, and partnerships with several other regional nations.
“While the PRC has only one ally – North Korea – and a supposedly ‘no-limits’ partnership with Russia, Beijing’s aggressive behavior has helped spur new multilateral relationships throughout the region by countries appalled by PRCs ‘might makes right approach’,” he said.
“The cost of a war in the Indo-Pacific -- to our safety and security, and to global well-being -- would be astoundingly high.
“We do not seek this conflict – the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates across the Indo-Pacific to deter conflict, and if directed, prevail in combat.”
When prompted by an audience member on the Chinese visit and WA’s iron ore exports, Admiral Koehler said Australia’s biggest export could be a valuable tool in diplomacy and deterrence.
“I can do pretty good stuff in the military sphere on what it would take for deterrence, but I think there's some opportunity there,” he said.
“They want the iron ore, so there is an opportunity as an instrument of power economically to use that as deterrence value.
“(China) has obviously a very strong economy and very strong ability to adjust the economy, but so do we.”
AUKUS pact
Outside of taking aim at China, Admiral Koehler gave some fresh insight into progress being made to ensure Australia was ready to command a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact.
He said Australia should be “tremendously proud” of three Royal Australian Naval officers where were stationed onboard US Virginia-class submarines at Pearl Harbour
“Talking to these three young naval officers that are in Pearl Harbor, they are they are focused, and they understand where they are fitting in this big piece,” he said.
“This summer we are planning to deploy a Virginia-class submarine and the submarine tender Emory S Land to Perth, with Australians embarked.
“She is making her way to Perth as I speak to you today.”
Admiral Koehler and his detachment visited the Henderson shipyards and HMAS Stirling naval base during his visit.
Among those at the Perth USAsia event were federal Senator Linda Reynolds, former WA Premier Richard Court, Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg, and Hofmann Engineering managing director Erich Hofmann.
