The Australian Department of Defence recently released its first defense White Paper in almost a decade. The much anticipated Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030 addresses Australia’s strategic priorities, taking the bold step of proposing a defense framework for addressing the rapid military expansion of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Australia’s prime minister Kevin Rudd appears to be convinced that, despite close economic ties, greater investment in the Australian Defense Force (ADF) is necessary.

Weary of the potential decline of U.S. primacy in the region, the new White Paper is a muscular declaration from Canberra that Australia plans to hedge against an uncertain future by maintaining its middle power status. Moreover, the strategic document may prove to have broader regional significance for other states that have witnessed China’s military buildup with unease, but have remained unwilling to invest further in their militaries.