23 July 2014

Editorial: China to Join Military Exercises in Australia


By Kevin Placek

Chinese troops are scheduled to train on Australian soil for the first time.

Buried beneath the headlines this week was a rather intriguing geopolitical development: China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will for the first time conduct joint military exercises in Australia. The announcement came as part of a four-day official visit to Australia by General Fan Changlong, the Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, following on from an earlier visit to China by Australia’s Minister for Defence, David Johnston.
According to the joint statement, China, Australia and the United States will take part in a land exercise called “Exercise Kowari” in Northern Australia in October this year. It will not only mark the first time Chinese forces train on Australian soil but also the first trilateral exercise between the three nations. Johnston hailed the agreement as an “important milestone” for trilateral defense cooperation. “Exercise Kowari,” he said, “is a firm demonstration of all three countries’ intent to work together towards enhancing mutual trust and regional stability.” 

Read the full story at The Diplomat