Japan and Australia have announced they will deepen their military cooperation between both countries in an effort to counter China and its growing military presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right)

On Saturday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreement to strengthen security ties between both nations would be necessary to counter China. In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “This landmark declaration sends a strong signal to the region of our strategic alignment.” While speaking with reporters, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “the bonds that tie Japan and Australia together have become much stronger. And our two countries have become the central pillar of cooperation among like-minded countries.” He also added that the new agreement was needed to counter an “increasingly severe strategic environment.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right)

New cooperation between both militaries:
The new agreement, dubbed the “Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation,” will put Japanese and Australian forces in joint-combat exercises in Northern Australia and increase the intelligence-sharing by both countries. The new pact will also include the development of joint “counterstrike capabilities.”

A focus on the environment:
Both prime ministers also vowed to work on bettering the environment in the region, saying they aimed to become “net zero by 2050” and promised to increase investments in clean energy technology.