Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Australia should reconsider its plan to potentially purchase a fleet of Soryu submarines from Japan. Reuters reports that Wang’s comment was based on China’s antagonistic relationship with Japan due to the latter’s conduct during World War II. China is concerned about Australia entering into any type of military cooperation pact with Japan, as it does not want Japan to become more militarized. However, the U.S. would prefer to see two of its Pacific allies working more strongly together, as that could help to balance China’s influence in the region. Australia is looking at offers from Germany and France, as well as Japan, and the Australian Foreign Minister dismissed Wang’s concerns.
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