CANBERRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China has a legitimate role to play in ensuring security in the Indian Ocean, a task force report produced by Australian and Indian experts said Wednesday.
The
report, titled "Security, Stability and Sustainability in the 21st
Century," was officially launched in Canberra Wednesday.
Approaches
that seek to exclude China are unlikely to guarantee long-term regional
stability, according to the report, commissioned by the Australia India
Institute based at the University of Melbourne.
The
report describes the northwest Indian Ocean as "potentially one of the
most insecure areas on earth." Current security arrangements are seen as
"fragile" and "incomplete."
The
report calls for an inclusive approach to a region which is now home to the
world's most important and sensitive trade routes. It warns that a host of
threats, from piracy to failed states and sea-level rise require more active
engagement by both great powers and local Indo-Pacific nations.
"We
argue for the concept to be inclusive, meaning that China is included, in order
to maximise long-term regional security," it said.
The
report argues that with China and Japan relying heavily on oil imports shipped
via the Indian Ocean, there is a compelling need for better security
structures.
A
fundamental shift in the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region, including
a decline in the relative military power of the United States, has created significant
strategic uncertainties for Australia which are only likely to intensify, the
report says.
The
report notes Australia's relative neglect of the Indian Ocean Region in its
strategic thinking.
But
the region is likely to be elevated in strategic importance in the coming
Defence White Paper by the Australian government.
Australia,
India and South Africa will increasingly have mutual significant security
interests this century, and these three nations could form the foundation for
new regional maritime security cooperation arrangements in the Indian Ocean, it
concludes.
Editor:
Zhu Ningzhu
Courtesy:
xinhuanet
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