The United States, Australia and Japan concluded historic security talks with 
praise for China's engagement in the Asia-Pacific and an agreement to seek 
greater cooperation within Asia. 
 
 
   (L-R) Japanese Foreign 
 Minister Taro Aso, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and US 
 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pose for a photograph prior to their 
 trilateral talks in Sydney. The historic security talks concluded with 
 praise for China's engagement in the Asia-Pacific and an agreement to seek 
 greater cooperation within Asia. [AFP] 
 | 
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and 
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso were hosted by Australian Foreign Minister 
Alexander Downer for talks in Sydney that focussed on the war in Iraq, Iran's 
nuclear crisis and China's rising power. 
"Supporting the emergence and consolidation of democracies and strengthening 
cooperative frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region was a particular focus of our 
attention," they said in a joint statement. 
"We welcomed China's constructive engagement in the region and concurred on 
the value of enhanced cooperation with other parties such as ASEAN (Association 
of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Republic of Korea." 
The parties welcomed as a positive step a decision by India to place its 
civilian nuclear facilities under international safeguards and recognized the 
importance of "reinforcing our global partnership with India." 
China's growing influence was expected to a major issue at the talks 
following remarks by Rice earlier this week urging the Asian giant to explain 
its military build-up. 
Downer Saturday moved to dampen fears that the trilateral meet was designed 
to produce a containment strategy on China, saying it was natural for three 
countries with so much in common to meet to discuss security. 
At a press conference after the meeting, Downer sought to reassure China 
there was no "conspiracy" against it. 
"This is a very natural relationship... and shouldn't be interpreted as an 
act of conspiracy against China, of course it's not," he said. 
"It's not for China to feel that we are ganging up on China or that Australia 
is suddenly changing its policy on China."