Australia deepens Pacific ties
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By Renju Jose SYDNEY, July 7 (Reuters) - Australia and the Solomon Islands said on Tuesday they were stepping up bilateral ties, a day after China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific in a move analysts say could intensify strategic rivalry in the region.
1hon MSN
China's rare missile test will push wary Asia-Pacific countries to close ranks, analysts say
China's rare launch of a ballistic missile launch into the Pacific will push regional powers to deepen their defense ties.
Relations between Beijing and Canberra have improved over the past four years, but China’s ambassador is now warning of a ‘Cold War mentality.”
Australia has responded after the Chinese military test fired a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific.
Australia and Vanuatu have signed a long-awaited bilateral security and economic treaty that prevents China creating a military base on the South Pacific island nation.
