From left, Australian Minister of Defense Peter Dutton, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pose for a group photo at the State Department in Washington, on Sept. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

       WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States and Australia on Thursday defended their decision to form a three-way security partnership with Britain that would help Canberra acquire nuclear-powered submarines, after the move upset both China and a key U.S. ally, France.

       Foreign and defense ministers of the United States and Australia also released a joint statement following their security talks the same day, committing to oppose "the coercive use of trade and economic measures" and expressing concerns over China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea and human rights abuses.

       Both sides also stated their intent to "strengthen ties with Taiwan," calling the self-ruled island that is facing pressure from China "a leading democracy and a critical partner for both countries," according to the statement.

       The security talks took place in Washington a day after the United States, Australia and Britain announced their security partnership dubbed AUKUS that focuses on ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

       Responding to China's accusations that such a partnership jeopardizes regional peace and stability, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Washington's official position that AUKUS is "not about any one country."

       "As it relates to China...we do not seek conflict," she added.

       Among U.S. allies, Japan welcomed the move as leading to increased deterrence against China's growing military assertiveness in the region, according to government sources. But France, which saw Australia ditch a French submarine contract for the United States, reacted furiously, reportedly calling the move "a stab in the back."

       U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken apparently sought to defuse the tension with France, telling a press conference after the security talks with Australia that AUKUS signals the U.S. commitment to work with its allies and partners for a free and open Indo-Pacific and France "in particular, is a vital partner" on the issue.

       Blinken also said that the United States has been communicating with its French counterparts over AUKUS, including before the announcement, amid criticism from France that U.S. President Joe Biden had acted like his predecessor Donald Trump, who was known for his unpredictable and unilateral decisions.

       Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton, who attended the press conference with Blinken and others, said his government judged that the conventional diesel-powered submarines set to be acquired from a French defense contractor under a 2016 deal would not have provided necessary capabilities for the future.

       "And in the end, the decision that we have made is based on what is in the best interests of our national security and the prevailing security and peace within the Indo-Pacific," he said.

       As the first initiative under AUKUS, the three countries will launch an 18-month effort to identify an "optimal pathway" for Canberra to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for its navy.

       Nuclear propulsion technology is extremely sensitive. Submarines powered by a nuclear reactor will enable Australia to deploy the vessels for longer periods and are quieter and more capable.

       The desire of the three countries to enhance deterrence across the Indo-Pacific comes as China has been building up its military and stepping up its territorial claims in the East and South China seas.

       Concerns have also been growing over China's stepped-up pressure on Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province to be reunified with mainland China by force if necessary.

       Dutton said the Indo-Pacific region faces "very significant uncertainty" and that it is in Australia's national security interest to deepen its ties with the United States and with other partners, including through the Quad group, which also involves Japan and India.

       The United States and Australia also affirmed that all countries should be able to make security and diplomatic choices "free from external coercion" and vowed to "continue ongoing work bilaterally and with other partners to oppose the coercive use of trade and economic measures that undermine rules-based trade."

       China has slapped tariffs on Australian wine and other products, as their bilateral relations soured after Canberra last year called for an independent review into the sources of the novel coronavirus, first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

       The United States and Australia said Thursday they also endorsed major military force posture initiatives, including enhanced air cooperation through the rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft of all types in Australia.

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