Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, met with Defence officials in Canberra on Monday for the 16th Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.
During his visit Lieutenant General Wang met with the Secretary of Defence, Mr Dennis Richardson, and the acting Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin.
Air Marshal Binskin and the acting Deputy Secretary Strategy, Mr Michael Shoebridge, held the Strategic Dialogue with Lieutenant General Wang.
During the dialogue both nations endorsed the Australia-China Defence Engagement Action Plan, which comprises a range of initiatives to facilitate further cooperation in the areas of maritime engagement, strategic policy discourse, educational exchanges, practical exercises and reciprocal high-level visits.
Australia and China have undertaken a series of major Defence exchanges. In September 2013, Defence welcomed the People’s Liberation Army band for joint performances and cultural displays in Sydney and Canberra, and in October Defence welcomed a visit by General Zhao Keshi, a member of the Chinese Central Military Commission – the most senior Chinese military visitor to Australia in three years.
In 2013 Australia also hosted an inaugural Strategic Policy Exchange, which saw both countries exchange views on regional security and the formation of military capability requirements.