Preparations being made to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The United States military joined Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, in Exercise Cartwheel in Fiji. The 11-day exercise, which ended Friday, was held to counter China’s growing influence in the region of the South Pacific. The name of this military exercise originated from World War II’s Operation Cartwheel which was implemented to neutralize the Japanese base at Rabaul in Papua New Guinea.
The Chinese foreign ministry stated they had “no objection to normal defense cooperation among the countries concerned.” After the signing of a bilateral security treaty in May between China and the Solomon Islands and the concerns about a China naval base being established in the region, the U.S. has committed to a stronger presence in the South Pacific.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Admiral Aquilino as he oversees the Indo-Pacific Command.
- For wisdom for Secretary Austin as he leads the Defense Department.
- For Pentagon officials as they assess the threat of China and advise the president.
Sources: AP, Defense News
