The Talisman Sabre exercise marks the largest bilateral wargame between Australia and the US, and this iteration will be the grandest yet, involving 30,000 personnel from 19 different nations. Notably, Papua New Guinea will host parts of the exercises for the first time.

But China is likely to be keeping a close eye on the developments.

“That usually happens, China sends down one of their surveillance ships,” 9News political editor Charles Croucher said.

“They’re in international water. They have every legal right to do so.”

Speaking to the ABC this morning, federal Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said it would be unusual if China didn’t spy on the exercises.

“It’s our most important bilateral exercise with the United States,” Conroy said.

“It’s not unusual for other countries to observe that. China has observed those exercises for the last four exercises.

“It won’t be unexpected if they continue to do that.”

He said Australia will monitor China’s movements and the exercises will be adjusted accordingly.

When questioned about the reports this afternoon in Shanghai, Albanese refrained from addressing them directly, emphasizing that Australia’s objective is “advancing peace and security in our region”.

“We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan,” he told reporters.

“We don’t support any unilateral action there.

“We have a clear position, and we have been consistent about that.”