Re-emergence of China 'desirable'-Australian FM

JAPAN: Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Friday his country's strengthening ties with Japan and the United States were not aimed at containing China, describing Beijing's rising clout as "desirable".

The endorsement came the day after Australia and Japan signed a deal on sharing security information and intelligence, a move they said cemented ties between two countries that are both strong US allies.

"Established realities are being challenged as the economies of China... and other nations grow. Bigger economies naturally seek military strength commensurate with their economic power," he said, speaking at a news conference of the last day of his three-day visit.

But, he added: "Make no mistake, the re-emergence of China, and the rise of India and others is desirable."

Referring to the strategic partnership penned with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba, Carr said: "The shift in global economic power to Asia, and the pace and scale of changes occurring in the region, make Australia and Japan even more important to one another.

"That's why on this visit I have focused on further strengthening our strategic partnership." Carr had been in China before arriving in Japan, where talks were reportedly dominated by Beijing's concerns over Canberra's ties to Washington. In November, US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced plans to expand the US military presence in Australia.

The first batch of 2,500 US Marines to be deployed in the country arrived in the northern city of Darwin in April.

Referring to the plan, Carr said he explained to his Chinese counterparts that "this is not directed at China, that the number is very modest, that China faces a more significant US presence much closer to its boarders in Japan, in Guam, in South Korea." AFP