There's going to have to be a decision as to which one is more of a vital national interest for Australia, he said.

“澳大利亚必须做出决定，美国还是中国，到底那个国家更符合澳大利亚本国的核心利益”。

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The issue flared up earlier this year when China claimed the vital shipping lane as part of its core national interest.

今年年初，中国宣称，南海海上交通线至关重要，事关中国国家核心利益，这使得争议进一步扩大。

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"The security of Europe has been a vital national interest of the United States for my entire career.

VOA: standard.2009.09.17

Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Sassoon agreed that resolution of the crisis was in Britain's "vital national interest".

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And as Commander-in-Chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30, 000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama on the Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan | The White House

Instead he issued a "vital national interest" waiver, in effect, putting the country on notice that its anti-narcotics efforts do not meet U.S. standards.

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