Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a collective defense pact, specifically to share “advanced defense technologies to counter China’s military power.”
The collective agreement covers cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum and cyber technology, and submarine capabilities, and focuses on the Indo-Pacific region at the heart of Australia.
As a first step, the pact is intended to help Australia build a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time to help counter Chinese nuclear-powered vessels in the region, while Australia has been committed to its nuclear commitments.
The three countries’ joint statement says the Indo-Pacific region could be the site of potential conflicts, including over unresolved territorial disputes, terrorist threats, organized crime and cyberspace.
Reacting to the new alliance, the Chinese embassy in Washington said “countries must abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices.”
