Australia says China is likely to spy on its military drills with US

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The comments on Beijing by an Australian minister came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a six-day visit to China to bolster recently repaired trade ties.

PHOTO: REUTERS

SYDNEY – Australia’s government on July 13 said it expects China to spy on major military drills it is conducting with the United States and other allies.

It also renewed a charge – denounced by Beijing as a “false narrative” – that China wants to establish a military base in the South Pacific.

The comments by a government minister came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a six-day visit to China to bolster recently repaired trade ties.

More than 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations are set to join in the annual Talisman Sabre exercise from July 13 across Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“The Chinese military has observed these exercises since 2017 and it would be very unusual if it didn’t do that this time,” said Mr Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Island Affairs.

He told Australian public broadcaster ABC that the government will observe the Chinese military’s activities and monitor its presence around Australia.

“People observe these exercises to collect intelligence around procedures, around the electronic spectrum and the use of communications, and we’ll adjust accordingly so that we manage that leakage,” he added.

The strategically important South Pacific region is at the centre of a diplomatic scramble for influence pitting China against its Western rivals.

“We’re seeing, in my portfolio of the Pacific, China seeking to secure