Defence Minister to visit Japan, China and Singapore

DEFENCE Minister Christopher Pyne will visit Japan, China and Singapore from January 22-28.

In Japan, Mr Pyne will meet with his counterpart, Japan’s Minister for Defense,Takeshi Iwaya, and senior Ministry of Defense and Japan Self-Defense Forces officials.

Mr Pyne said he was looking forward to discussing Japan’s recently revised defence guidelines and identifying future opportunities for Australia and Japan to work together to contribute to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“I will take this opportunity to engage with defence science and technology and industry representatives to discuss opportunities for future collaboration and joint research and development,” Mr Pyne said.

Following his visit to Japan, Mr Pyne will travel to the People’s Republic of China where he will meet with his counterpart, General Wei Fenghe, Minister of National Defense, and other senior Chinese officials to discuss regional security and bilateral issues.

Mr Pyne said the Australia-China defence relationship is "a key component of our broader bilateral relationship". 

“The government is committed to maintaining a long-term constructive relationship with China, founded on shared interests and mutual respect – China and Australia’s success will go hand-in-hand,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Pyne will then travel to Singapore where he will meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his counterpart, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence.

“The Australia-Singapore Defence relationship is founded on strong, long-standing shared interests in regional trade, stability and security,” Mr Pyne said.

While in Singapore, Mr Pyne will also deliver the keynote address at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Fullerton Forum and share Australia’s perspectives on important security challenges within the Indo-Pacific region.

“Australia is firmly committed to supporting robust dialogue on regional strategic issues, and recognises the IISS Fullerton Forum, along with the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, as key regional defence and security institutions,” Mr Pyne said. 

www.defence.gov.au

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