Why the Australia-Philippines deal is part of broader U.S. efforts to encircle China – Jagannath Panda was quoted in Sputnik
September 15, 2023: Jagannath Panda, Head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, was quoted in Sputnik International on why the Australia-Philippines deal is part of a broader U.S. effort to encircle China.
“Given Australia and the Philippines as maritime nations, Albanese’s visit might allow Australia to share concerns and discuss in length issues from freedom of navigation to free passage and cooperation in areas such as the blue economy. The Philippines’ long-standing concern about China in the South China Sea will undoubtedly be discussed when Australia is building military confidence through an AUKUS-like pact with the US and UK,” said Jagannath Panda.