Australia Fears Asia Power Shift to China If U.S. Withdraws
- Turnbull’s government releases foreign policy white paper
- Urges U.S. to continue support for global rules-based order
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Australia is concerned that China’s military expansion in the South China Sea will lead to clashes in Asia and wants the U.S. to remain involved in the region, according to a new policy paper released by the government.
The power balance would shift to Beijing should the U.S. withdraw its political, economic and security ties, according to the foreign policy white paper, the first in 14 years. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the document “clear-eyed and hard-headed” and said Australia would seek a bigger role in shaping regional affairs.