Chinese spy concerns as joint Australian/US military exercises begin

Chinese spy ships are expected to head to Australian waters over the next few days as Exercise Talisman Sabre gets under way.

Chinese spy ships are expected to head towards Australian waters in coming days, ahead of joint military exercises with the United States and 11 other nations.

Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 officially kicked off on Friday with an opening ceremony aboard HMAS Canberra at Sydney’s Fleet Base East.

But since 2017, the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) has sent at least one vessel down to Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to keep tabs on the naval activities.

And it’s expected this time will be no different.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (right), Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy (left), and United States Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro take a selfie on board HMAS Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

An anonymous official has told the ABC one PLAN vessel is expected to monitor training off the Northern Territory, while a second vessel could be heading for Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

“The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist amongst our many nations together,” US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told media on Friday.

“We are prepared to actually operate together in defence of our national security interests and defence of the core values that we all share as Western and non-Western countries.”

Mr Marles (centre) says more than 30,000 personnel are participating. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Talisman Sabre 23 director Brigadier Damien Hill says they’ll take the appropriate precautions, and notes the Chinese are free to operate within the EEZ.

“We monitor our borders very carefully and that includes nations such as the PLA operating, and as long as they do so in accordance with international law there will be no issues from us,” Brigadier Hill said.

“The exercise is quite expanded as far as geography is concerned — that‘s part of the exercise construct itself — there’ll be activity from Western Australia to Norfolk Island.”

The Exercise Talisman Sabre opening ceremony was held aboard the HMAS Canberra in Sydney Harbour on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Over the next two weeks, 13 nations will participate in high-end multi-domain warfighting across sea, land, air, cyber, and space, while several others will be observers.

“The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and develop strong relationships between participating military forces,” reads an ADF media release.

China has been sending a vessel down to monitor Talisman Sabre exercises since 2017. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“It will involve field training exercises including force preparation and logistics activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, air combat and maritime operations.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says more than 30,000 personnel are participating.

“Talisman Sabre is a practical demonstration of our commitment to working with our international partners to maintain the security and stability of our region,” he says.