Defence News
Forces from Australia and China join in humanitarian exercise
02 December 2011
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Exercise COOPERATION SPIRIT 2011, a humanitarian and disaster relief exercise involving the Australian Defence Force and Chinese People’s Liberation Army, concluded on 1 December.
Approximately 15 humanitarian and disaster relief planning specialists from the ADF were involved in the exercise, which commenced on 28 November at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Comprehensive Emergency Response Training Base at Chongyi in Sichuan Province, China.
The PLA contingent comprised PLA planners and other personnel involved in field training and static displays during the exercise.
The exercise aimed to enhance cooperation and coordination between Australia and China in responding to natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific.
“This exercise is a significant milestone in our Defence relationship and is a valuable opportunity to enhance the complexity of our engagement in this area of shared interested that has broader implications for the region,” said Air Commodore Dave Steele, Director General Joint Exervises and Evaluation at Joint Operations Command.
Major General Zhang Peiming, Chief of Staff of the Sichuan Military District PLA said that bilaterial relations between China and Australia had been progressing smoothly and the mutual understanding and trust between the militaries was deepening.
“The joint exercise is a concrete measure taken by both sides to expand cooperation and exchange, as well as to enhance our mutual understanding and trust,” Major General Zhang Peiming said.
In recent years Australia – China Defence engagement has occurred through senior level dialogue and working level exchanges in other areas such maritime engagement and peacekeeping.
Exercise COOPERATION SPIRIT followed the 14th annual Australia-China Defence Strategic dialogue co-chaired by the Vice chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin, Deputy Secretary Strategy, Peter Jennings and General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of Staff, People’s Liberation Army held at HMAS Watson in Sydney last month.