Military troops from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan concluded a series of amphibious war games on the Australian coast this Sunday. Although such military activities are held annually, this year is significant since this the first time that a Japanese contingent has partaken. This is also the first time Chinese officers have been invited to witness the exercise. 

Like Us on Facebook

Bloomberg reported that around 30,000 allied troops participated in what turned out to be the largest military exercise hosted by Australia. The war game was held at the Top End coast and seemed to resemble a Normandy beach invasion during World War II, according to The New Daily.

The military exercise bares the political dynamics between the participating countries and China. Australia is a close ally of both the United States and Japan, but the Australians also have strong economic ties with China, according to the Strait Times.

Australia is reportedly concerned that Chinese leaders may offense over the fact that Japanese soldiers participated in the Talisman Sabre war games. Australian National University professor Hugh White said that Beijing may feel threatened by the close alliance being formed by the three countries.

China and Japan are currently embroiled in a territorial dispute in the East China Sea. Tensions between the two countries grew in intensity this past week as Japanese lawmakers debate a series of security bills that will allow Japanese troops to help allies in combat. If the new Japanese security bills are passed, the country may drop its pacifist foreign policy that has been in effect since the end of World War II.

During the Second World War, Japanese planes dropped bombs in the Australian city of Darwin, killing hundreds of people. This historical fact has been taken into account as Japanese troops, who participated in the exercise, also conducted dialogues with Australian local government officials.

United States Marine General John Wissler has noted the war games is "transparent" and mentioned that 30 countries including China have been observing the progress of the military exercise. He assured the Chinese government that the annual event is not aimed to threatened the country.

Captain Kristy McCallum, the commander of Green Bay, said that the war games are being conducted to help allies protect the important sea trade lanes within the region.

TagsTalisman Sabre War games, China-Japan Dispute, Australian war games, australian military exercise, japanese military, East China Sea dispute, East China Sea tensions, Japan pacifist foreign policy, World War II, Top End beach