Though none of the officials explicitly mentioned China during their initial remarks to the press before the formal meeting commenced, the issue of China’s influence in the Pacific and beyond has long been a crucial aspect of the US-Australia alliance.

After a subsequent meeting between then-President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China announced it would suspend those regulations for a year.

“Our alliance consistently aims to deliver tangible benefits for our security and prosperity, as well as for that of the United States. AUKUS is central to this goal: it benefits Australia, the US, and the United Kingdom,” stated Wong.

US and Australian officials convened for their annual discussions, which primarily focused on security matters in the Indo-Pacific region. Source: AAP / Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA

“We are living in a much more contested world, where it really matters to be doubling down with friends and allies and, obviously, America is front and centre and foremost for Australia in that respect,” he said.

— Reporting by the Associated Press via the Australian Associated Press.

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