PLA joins Australia and US in elite survival training drill

[ULike2CarryModBalls]

PLA joins Australia and US in elite survival training drill

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 08 October, 2014, 4:39am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 08 October, 2014, 12:09pm

Bloomberg in Singapore

China is taking part in joint military exercises with the United States and Australia for the first time. Photo: Xinhua

China is taking part in joint military exercises with the United States and Australia for the first time, even as it continues to raise tensions in the region by asserting its disputed claims to much of the South China Sea.

Five soldiers from the US Marine Corps, 10 from the People's Liberation Army and 10 from the Australian Army are taking part in the survival training exercise known as Kowari 14, according to a statement from Australia's Department of Defence. The exercise finishes on October 25.

"Exercise Kowari 14 will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, procedures, techniques and equipment that can enhance survival prospects in the harsh Australian environment," Australian Defence Minister David Johnston said.

"The exercise demonstrates the willingness of Australia, China and the United States to work together in practical ways."

China's push to assert its claims in the East and South China seas has led to confrontations with the Philippines and Vietnam and comes as President Barack Obama expands the US military's presence in the region as part of his so-called rebalance to Asia.

The US has strengthened its six-decade alliance with Australia, boosting life-fire exercises and navy visits. Eventually, 2,500 marines will pass through the city of Darwin each year on six-month training deployments.

The drills that began yesterday included field training and survival tests in remote inland and coastal areas, Australia's Department of Defence said.

"The exercise will provide some extremely challenging situations for the participants to work through in some of the toughest terrain that Australia has to offer," exercise commander Brigadier Peter Clay said.