SYDNEY: Australia launched large-scale joint military drills with the United States and almost a dozen other countries on Friday, as a top officer revealed that a Chinese spy ship was closely watching the proceedings.
Officials formally opened the biennial Talisman Sabre drills involving over 30,000 troops from 13 countries, including Indonesia, Canada, Britain, Japan, and France.
The excercise comes amid increasing concern about the risked posed to the region by Beijing, which is not part of the military maneuver.
Addressing a media conference onboard the HMAS Canberra, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations, told journalists that a Chinese spy vessel had been spotted off its northeastern coast the previous day.
He said that the response from Beijing to Australia’s communication had been courteous and in accordance with normal norms at waters.
Australia, US have eyes on Chinese activities
Australia and the US have said that they are closely watching activities of China in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australia has announced measures to develop military facilities in its northern parts, while also saying that the American military presence there will increase in coming years.
A US “Indo-Pacific Strategy” in 2022, announced efforts to work more closely with allies in the region to “shape the region around China” to blunt its influence.
Bilton said that the defence officials of Australia have not contacted to the Chinese specifically” ahead of the drills.
For two weeks, until 4 August, militaries will participate in amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, maritime , field training, and air combat operations.
Most of this year’s drills will take place in Queensland, the northeastern state of Australia.
