<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former Prime Minister </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/scott-morrison" rel="" target="_blank" title="Scott Morrison"><span>Scott Morrison</span></a><span> has warned the United States against walking away from the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/aukus" rel="" target="_blank" title="AUKUS"><span>AUKUS</span></a><span> agreement in the face of the potential threat posed by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/china" rel="" target="_blank" title="China"><span>China</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The defence pact between Australia, the United States and the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/uk" rel="" target="" title="United Kingdom"><span>United Kingdom</span></a><span> is currently under review by the Pentagon, who harbour concerns it will impede the United States' efforts to combat China's influence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Morrison was a key figure in the creation of AUKUS, and made a surprise appearance at a congressional committee on Thursday (AEST), where he warned Australia should remain vigilant.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-in-jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-told-him-reports-usa-politics/38dae500-44be-4daf-9e87-359b1a35d814" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump told months ago 'his name was in Epstein files'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There are some irreconcilable differences between an authoritarian regime in China... and the activities of free and open states," he told the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have to be clear and not pretend that... somehow this is going to be resolved through discussion... If we think that that is going to produce a change in the mindset in Beijing about what their objectives are, then we're frankly kidding ourselves.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I would highlight the need to never become casual about the potential threat and to remain vigilant."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/australia-united-states-china-aukus-scott-morrison-anthony-albanese/89a54af6-65ae-4e37-b640-63adc1bbadcd" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Morrison, who was Prime Minister between 2018-2022, had a tense and at times tumultuous relationship with Beijing, culminating in high tariffs slapped on Australian products and a diplomatic freeze.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Morrison-led Coalition government had a hard stance on China, including calling for an investigation into the origin of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/covid-19" rel="" target="_blank" title="COVID-19"><span>COVID-19</span></a><span>, despite protests from China.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The incumbent Labor government, led by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="_blank" title="Anthony Albanese"><span>Anthony Albanese</span></a><span>, has seen a thaw in relations and the Prime Minister made a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/prime-minister-anthony-albanese-in-china-updates/82c02eb0-147f-4ef2-b96b-8754cde5081d" rel="" target="_blank" title="state visit to China"><span>state visit to China</span></a><span> earlier this month.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Morrison was adamant his strong stance against China was correct.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am pleased our government provided the example of resistance and resilience, by standing firm, rather than acquiescence and appeasement," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/emmanuel-macron-sues-candace-owens-over-claims-wife-is-a-man/b8117774-07e7-46ff-ab84-4336c310824f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Macron sues right-wing commentator who says his wife is a man</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also took aim at Albanese, accusing him of neglecting other areas of defence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor has axed billions in defence spending, but still spends 2 per cent of GDP on defence, with an aim to increase this to 2.3 per cent by 2033.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/judge-sentences-bryan-kohberger-to-life-in-prison-for-murdering-four-university-of-idaho-students/19886e7a-e274-4c31-8c41-ba0a4db1eb6c" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Less than human': Killer of four US uni students sentenced</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also pledged to spend $368 billion on AUKUS over three decades in April 2023.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It wasn't [meant to be] 'AUKUS instead', it was 'AUKUS as well'," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And 'AUKUS as well' was at least going to add another half a per cent of GDP, at least... [or] possibly more."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>