US Marines, Japanese and Australian troops will train together amid growing concerns about China

US Marines will participate in joint training with Japanese and Australian troops in northern Australia, the defense ministers of the three countries announced on Sunday as they expressed concern over the issue. outbreak of conflict with China's increasingly assertive military.

Acting Australian Prime Minister Richard Marles hosted US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani for talks in Darwin, Australia.

Amphibious training between Australia, Japan and the US Marine rotational force in northern Australia will begin in 2025 with Exercise Talisman Sabre. Australia will also join the Exercise Orient Shield in Japan for the first time next year.

“As we recognize the important role that trilateral relations play in order to maintain stability in the region, we are committed to coordinate the trilateral policy and consult on regional security issues and emergencies,” they said in a joint statement.

In their statement, the three defense ministers reiterated their “deep concern” about disruptive activities in the East and South China seas including “dangerous behavior” Chinese military against the Philippines and other vessels from the region. China claims almost the entire South China Sea.

“We reiterate our strong opposition to any collective efforts to change the situation by force or force,” they said, adding that “it is important that all states are free to exercise rights and freedoms consistent with international law.”

The ministers also urged the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory and it already has he intensified the torture of the soldiers with regular exercises around the island.

Marles, who is also Australia's defense minister, said following talks with his Japanese counterpart in September that both countries are looking at ways to build familiarity between their militaries. One of the “obvious possibilities” was for Japan to participate in activities during the US Marine patrol in Australia, he said on Sunday.

“Having the opportunity to look forward to a major training with Japan and the US together is a really good opportunity,” he said.

Asked whether the increased military cooperation would anger Beijing, Marles said the decision was about building “very good relations with like-minded countries, our friends and our allies.”