Australia Envoy Criticizes China's Military Buildup and Coercion

Andrew Shearer, Australia's newly appointed ambassador to Japan and former spy chief, has voiced strong criticisms regarding China's military expansion and its use of economic coercion. His remarks come as Japan is significantly bolstering its own military capabilities, including conducting its first missile test on its own territory.

Japan's army successfully test-fired a Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range in Hokkaido. This marks the first time such a test has been conducted within Japanese territory, as the country previously relied on the United States and Australia for missile testing due to space and safety constraints. The test is part of Japan's broader strategy to enhance its self-defense capabilities and deterrence against China's increasingly assertive actions in regional seas.

Japan's military buildup is a response to growing concerns over China's naval activity and joint military exercises with Russia near Japanese coasts. In 2022, Japan revised its security strategy, identifying China as its primary strategic challenge and advocating for a closer alliance with the United States. The country is also in the process of acquiring long-range cruise missiles, such as Tomahawks, and is developing its own Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with a significantly extended range.

Protests have occurred outside military camps, with some citizens expressing concerns that missile tests could escalate tensions and increase the risk of conflict in Asia. The Type 88 missile, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has a range of approximately 100 kilometers, while the developing Type 12 missile is expected to have a range of around 1,000 kilometers. Japan is also planning to establish a new missile-firing range on the uninhabited island of Minamitorishima.