Deputy prime minister Richard Marles says he is not concerned about the Chinese spy ship that entered the Coral Sea during Talisman Sabre military exercises, which began in Sydney yesterday.
The ship is believed to be sitting off Queensland’s coast to watch the exercises, which involve 30,000 troops from 13 nations as part of Australia’s largest military exercises over the next two weeks.
Marles told Weekend Today there always seemed to be a Chinese ship watching the exercises, which had been conducted since 2013.
“They are acting in accordance with international law and so this is to be completely expected,” Marles said.
“For us, it is really about our capability and our capacity and it is very much about our ability to work with other countries, our friends and allies, and particularly the United States.”
He said the exercises were not a simulation for a war against China.
”You don’t have a capable Defence Force unless you are match-fit and you are not match-fit unless you train,” Marles said.
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“It is the most important exercise that we do, in terms of certifying all the capabilities and skills that exist within the Australian Defence Force.”
Marles said he was not worried about Republicans in the US Senate blocking legislation to approve the AUKUS nuclear powered submarine deal.
“I have been briefed by exactly what is occurring in the Congress.
“I think this is pretty well business as usual, in terms of the way in which legislation proceeds through the Congress.”
The USS Canberra will be the first American naval ship commissioned outside of the country today.
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