Minister Remarks that China's Surveillance of Australia's Military Exercises Comes as No Surprise

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According to the Australian Defence Industry Minister, it is expected that China will observe the joint military exercises known as Talisman Sabre between the Australian Defence Force and the United States, as they have done in the past four instances. Despite American pressures to clarify Australia’s stance on potential conflict with China regarding Taiwan, Pat Conroy stated that monitoring by China is anticipated as the exercises commence in Brisbane.

A man wearing black glasses and suit with a white shirt and tie standing in front of a black curtain

During the Talisman Sabre exercises starting in Brisbane, Conroy mentioned on the ABC’s Insiders program that while China is expected to watch the drills, there hasn’t been confirmed activity from their intelligence services yet. “Talisman Sabre is our most significant bilateral exercise with the United States,” Conroy highlighted. He noted, “It’s common for other nations to observe these exercises. China has done so in the past four instances, and it’s likely they will again.”

During Talisman Sabre 30,000 personnel from 19 countries will participate.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual event and is expected to be the largest yet.

Conroy said it would “not be unusual for China to observe” and Australia would “adjust the exercises accordingly”.

Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy reiterated that China has been monitoring the previous four Talisman Sabre exercises between Australia and the US. Talisman Sabre, a frequent warfare exercise involving Australia and its allies, is anticipated to take place while the Australian government acknowledges that Chinese observation is probable.

“We’ll obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia but we’ll also adjust how we conduct the exercises.

“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.

Australia rejects US call to declare Taiwan war role

Meanwhile, Australia has rebuffed calls to declare what role the nation would play in a potential war with China over Taiwan, with Conroy saying it won’t automatically follow the US into a future conflict.

Washington is reportedly pushing both Japan and Australia to clarify their positions for a hypothetical conflict over the democratically-government island, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

Elbridge Colby, a key Pentagon strategist, has been pressing defence officials from both countries to declare their positions in meetings over the issue, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Asked whether Australia would commit to joining the US if it entered a war with China over Taiwanese sovereignty, Conroy ruled out committing to such a conflict ahead of time, reiterating the government’s longstanding position.

“The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance,” he said.

“Sovereignty will always be prioritised.”

Anthony Albanese holds the hand of a young Chinese girl in front of a plane with steps

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China for a six-day visit. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed in Shanghai late Saturday, kicking off a six-day tour which will focus on economic and security issues.

Defence analysts have flagged Albanese will likely raise live-fire drills conducted by the Chinese military off Australia’s coast earlier in the year after Beijing failed to notify authorities ahead of time.

But Conroy would not be drawn on whether Albanese will directly raise those concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders sit down during his second visit as prime minister.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press