SYDNEY — The United States and Australia kicked off a massive joint biennial military exercise on Sunday, with Japan taking part for the first time as tensions with China over territorial rows loom over the drills.
The two-week "Talisman Sabre" exercise in the Northern Territory and Queensland state involves 30,000 personnel from the US and Australia practicing operations at sea, in the air and on land.
Some 40 personnel from Japan's army — the Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) — will join the American contingent, while more than 500 troops from New Zealand are also involved in the exercise, which concludes on July 21.
"It is a very, very important alliance," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Friday in Sydney on board the USS Blue Ridge, which is taking part in the exercise, referring to Australia-US ties.
"It's a very important relationship and right now we are facing quite significant challenges in many parts of the world but particularly in the Middle East."
The war games, being held for the sixth time, come as China flexes its strategic and economic muscle in the region.
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