The US plans to expand its rotation of bombers and refueling aircraft in Australia, the commander of the US Air Force in the Pacific said on Tuesday, as Washington seeks to enhance its presence in the region.

Speaking to reporters in Canberra, General Lori Robinson said US and Australian officials are discussing an expanded rotation of US bomber aircraft through bases in Darwin and Tindal, in northern Australia.  

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This develops as the US moves to bring a larger military force within striking distance of the South China Sea. "It would be useful to train across the spectrum of capability," Robinson said of the US proposal.

The deployments could include American B-1 bombers and more B-52 missions, according to US Air Force spokesman Lt. Colonel Damien Pickart, who emphasized that the US and Australia have yet to reach an accord on the proposal.

"Carefully Determined"

"These bomber rotations provide opportunities for our airmen to advance and strengthen our regional alliances and provide [US air forces] and US Pacific Command leaders with a credible global strike and deterrence capability to help maintain peace and security in the Indo-Asia- Pacific region," Pickart told Reuters.

Currently, the US does not fly B-1 bombers from Australia. However, the US military conducts periodic B-52 missions in the region.

"I can just assure you that everything we do in this area is very carefully determined to ensure that our military forces work together as closely as possible in our mutual national interests,"  Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said of the discussions with the US on Wednesday. 

When asked to comment on the issue during a press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said "Cooperation among relevant countries should protect regional peace and stability, and not target the interests of third parties."

The US proposal comes in the wake of the publication of Australia's Defense White Paper, which urges Beijing to be more forthcoming about its security intentions and policies in the South China Sea.

Diplomatic Stalemate

China's buildup across the disputed Asian waterway has proceeded in swift increments, alarming countries like Australia even as its neighbors are locked in a diplomatic stalemate over the artificial islands.

In a letter to the US Senate Armed Services Committee, the Obama administration's top intelligence adviser James Clapper warned last month that China can quickly deploy fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, sizable coast guard vessels and warships to its man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago. 

Security experts say the new fortifications pose little threat to the US military, which could easily destroy them in the event of a conflict. But US officials have expressed concern that the buildup of Chinese facilities atop reefs and small islets across the contested territory will make it more difficult for the US to defend allies with weaker military capabilities, such as the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said the Turnbull government is transparent about its arrangements with partners and allies in the region. "We have on-going discussions with China and other countries in our region," Bishop told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

TagsUS-China relations, China-Australia relations, Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, US General Lori Robinson, Julie Bishop, Malcolm Turnbull, Australia Defense White Paper, US Air Force