China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday declined to give a firm answer to an "invitation" through the media by the US and Australia to join three-nation military exercises, hinting that the two countries' militaries should approach their Chinese counterpart first before telling the media.
"We have noticed the information the US and Australia released via the media," a Ministry of National Defense spokesman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Global Times yesterday. "International military cooperation should follow the regular patterns and be carried out through specific channels."
The spokesman added that the Chinese military did not receive any formal notice from its US and Australian counterparts directly in advance. He declined to state clearly if China is considering the proposal.
According to the report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the head of the US Pacific Command, Timothy Keating, and the Chief of the Australian Defense Force, Angus Houston, met Tuesday in Sydney and agreed to approach the Chinese Ministry of National Defense separately to hold exercises and develop military relations "at the earliest opportunity."
Admiral Keating said Wednesday that the US and Australia are concerned that China's military buildup appears to extend beyond purely defensive purposes.
"We are anxious to engage with them," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "We want to understand much better than we do now China's intentions. … China does publish a (defense) white paper but we find it to be less than fulfilling."
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backed the idea yesterday by saying that it will be a good exercise in military transparency and cooperation.
Tensions have grown between Australia and China over the arrest in China of an Australian mining executive for commercial espionage, and Australia's decision to grant a visa to Rebiya Kadeer, whom Beijing labels "a separatist leader."
Zhang Junsai, China's Ambassador to Australia, did not comment on the proposal directly but said that "any positive signs will help to improve the relationship because this relationship is very solid."
