Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated on Tuesday that operations by Australian forces to protect the country's maritime trade routes, including the South China Sea, have become more dangerous due to Beijing's «the largest military buildup in the world today». In his opening speech at a naval conference in Sydney, he added that open sea lanes, including trade routes passing through the South China Sea and the East China Sea, are at the core of Australia's national interests. He continued at the Indian and Pacific Oceans conference: «This action poses a challenge, and in fact, it is becoming increasingly risky». He affirmed: «Without reassurance, the largest military buildup in the world today is China's».
