The Straits Times of Singapore reported today (April 19): "The Australian and Japanese governments have formally signed a cooperation agreement, under which Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan will build 11 next-generation stealth frigates for the Australian Navy. Australia hopes to enhance its long-range maritime combat capabilities in response to China's expanding military presence in the Indo-Pacific region."
[Sarcastic] A few comments: Historically, Australia has been invaded only once by another country—Japan. Now, Australia turns around and allies with its former aggressor, allowing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to construct 11 stealth frigates for its navy, boasting about enhancing long-range maritime combat capabilities aimed at its largest trading partner, China. This move is absurd and laughable. In Sino-Australian trade, Australia has reaped enormous profits from mineral exports, while China has been precisely the guardian of this partnership, ensuring the security of mineral transport routes. The real force seeking to undermine Sino-Australian cooperation and destabilize the Indo-Pacific region has always been the United States, instigating trouble behind the scenes. By willingly serving as America’s vanguard in containing China, Australia ignores the reality that its economic lifeline depends on Sino-Australian cooperation. While profiting from Chinese money, it simultaneously provokes anti-China military actions. Ultimately, such short-sighted strategy will only make Australia a casualty in great power rivalry, losing both economic gains and strategic initiative.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862862159721480/
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