Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned of an emerging arms race across Asia yesterday. From BBC:
In a speech to retired soldiers, the prime minister did not spell out which countries could pose a threat in the future.
But analysts say planners in Canberra are wary of expanding armed forces in China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Almost every nation in Asia has a territorial dispute of some kind with its neighbours, ranging from minor verbal jousts to potential triggers of conflict.
China’s increasing confidence on the world stage is also reflected in continuing disputes over ownership of the resources of the South China Sea, including the current muscle-flexing between China and Vietnam over a disputed oil contract, correspondents say.
