Australia has launched its largest-ever edition of the Talisman Sabre war games, a massive multinational military exercise that is expected to draw attention from Chinese surveillance vessels.
Held biennially since 2005, the joint U.S.-Australia-led drills have expanded significantly over the years. This year’s edition involves over 35,000 military personnel from 19 countries, including Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom, according to a statement from Australia’s defense department on Sunday.
Malaysia and Vietnam are attending the three-week exercise as observers.
For the first time, elements of the exercise are also being conducted in neighboring Papua New Guinea, marking a shift beyond Australia’s borders.
Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Chinese surveillance ships have monitored the last four Talisman Sabre exercises and are expected to observe again this year.
“It would be unusual if they didn’t,” Conroy told ABC. “We’ll adjust accordingly. We will monitor their activities and adapt the exercise as needed.”
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As of Sunday, Chinese vessels had not yet begun shadowing any participating ships, he noted.
The drills were officially launched Sunday with a ceremony in Sydney, attended by U.S. Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General Lt. Gen. J.B. Vowell and Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones.
The exercise comes just as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese begins a six-day visit to China. He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday for their fourth face-to-face discussion.
Albanese said the expected Chinese surveillance of Talisman Sabre would not be a topic during his talks with Xi.
“That would be nothing unusual. That has happened in the past,” he told reporters in Shanghai on Monday. “I’ll continue to assert Australia’s national interest, as I do.”
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While the prime minister noted that he has made five official visits to the United States during his tenure, this is only his second visit to China. He has also faced criticism at home for not yet securing a direct meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I look forward to a constructive engagement with President Trump,” Albanese said, adding that they have had three “constructive” phone conversations so far.
Source: Agency