U.S. And Australia Invite China To Participate In Naval War Games

Joint military exercises a possibility ... the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Zhang Junsai, speaks in Canberra yesterday. Photo: Glen McCurtayne

US And Australia Invite China To War Games -- The Telegram

The US and Australia will invite China to take part in joint naval and military exercises in a move that highlights the changing balance of power in the Pacific.

Admiral Timothy Keating, the head of the US Pacific Command, said the US and Australia had agreed to make the approach to the Chinese Ministry of Defence.

"We are anxious to engage with them at the earliest opportunity," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "We want to understand much better than we do now China's intentions. We would say: 'Don't stand in isolation in the Pacific'. China does publish a [defence] white paper but we find it to be less than fulfilling," he said.

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More News On The Invite to China To Participate In Naval War Games

Australia open to military exercises with China: PM -- AFP
Military exercises with Australia, US still on table -- Sydney Morning Herald
Beijing to study bid to boost ties -- The Age
Australia, US to Invite China to War Games -- Voice of America
China war games 'necessary' -- ABC News (Australia)
Military chiefs woo China -- Sydney Morning Herald
China forces worth watching: US admiral -- The Age

My Comment: When I was in China in 1988, our host (the Premier of Fujian Province) remarked that one day Chinese and NATO forces will be working together.

I guess that day is today.

Will the Chinese accept this offer? My Chinese sources (they are in the foreign office) tell me that they are going to accept. To them this will be a great honor, and they will not refuse for the sole reason that they do not want the Americans and Aussies to lose face.

I agree.

I also have a gut feeling that the Chinese admirals are going to be toasting each other tonight.