Australia has denied any plans to deploy US B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft in Australia to counter to counter China’s ambitions in the South China Sea.
Australian Prime Minister and Defence Minister responded to the reports, saying that their US official “misspoke” during his testimony.
"I understand that the official misspoke and that the US does not have any plans to base those aircraft in Australia," Tnoy Abbott said on Friday.
“We have a strong friendship with China,” he noted.
"We are aware of the comments made by a US official in Congressional testimony overnight. The US Government has contacted us to advise that the official misspoke," said Defence Minister Kevin Andrews in a statement.
The US embassy in Canberra also rebuffed the reports.
Contrary to reports, and to correct the record, the US has NO plans to rotate B-1 bombers or surveillance aircraft in Australia.
— US Embassy Canberra (@USAembassyinOZ) May 15, 2015
“We will be placing additional Air Force assets in Australia as well, including B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft,” the US Defence Department's Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, David Shear, said during testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, as quoted by Foreign Policy.
B-1 bombers were originally designed to carry nuclear weapons, but are currently used to carry conventional bombs.
He said the operation was in response to China’s attempt to “assert de facto control over disputed territories” and the Navy would have four littoral combat ships in Singapore by 2020.
Although the US is increasing its presence in the region with a view to “ensuring that US interests in the South China Sea are adequately protected”, it is unlikely any deployment in Australia could be directed against China, due to Australia’s relations in the region, especially with China and its distance.
Tony Abbott expressed Australia's support for Washington’s stance on maintaining freedom of movement through the South China Sea.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed anger and concerns over reports about the US sending ships to the South China Sea, demanding a clarification.
"Freedom of navigation certainly does not mean that foreign military ships and aircraft can, at will, enter another country's territorial waters or airspace," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
