Japan & Australia signs defence deal to counter China's growing influence in South China Sea

Japan and Australia have signed a ‘landmark’ defence pact in a bid to counter China’s growing influence in the South China Sea and over the Pacific island nations.
The deal called Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was signed between Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on 17 November 2020.
RAA will allow Japanese and Australian troops to visit each other’s countries and conduct training and joint operations.
The treaty will strengthen their security ties and facilitate cooperation between defence forces.