Taiwan backs expansion of AUKUS, strait ship transits

As the RAN steps up patrol in the Taiwan Strait, Taipei has suggested AUKUS is sort of Asian NATO. (Jenny Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

The AUKUS partnership is a form of an Asian NATO, the Taiwanese government says, after welcoming further transits of Australian warships through the Taiwan Strait to counter China's military activity.

Speaking to journalists, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Francois Wu agreed the proposal floated by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for a NATO-like security pact in Asia would likely anger Beijing.