SYDNEY, March 13 (UPI) -- China expressed concern Tuesday over the signing of a security pact between Australia and Japan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that Beijing would have liked to see countries like Australia and Japan do more to "further mutual trust and stabilize the Asian region."
Qin was asked whether he believed the assurances by Australian Prime Minister John Howard and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe that the defense agreement they signed in Tokyo was not directed at China.
"I hope what they say is true," he said. "China will not invade or threaten other countries ..."
The head of the Australian army, Lt. Gen. Peter Leahy, is also in Tokyo with Howard for talks with Japanese defense officials and told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that closer cooperation with Japan was in Australia's interests.
"The past is important," he said, in reference to Australia and Japan being enemies in World War II, "but the future is more important."
Leahy said, "We are joining in a cooperative pact with the Japanese ... people who are very interested in peace and security in our region and who have made a substantial contribution already."
