China, Australia and the United States will conduct their first trilateral military exercise in October. Compared to the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises, the scale of "Exercise Kowari", which will take place in Australia, is small, but it still has significance.

First, it marks the fact that during the process of building a new model relationship between great powers, China, Australia and the US are expanding into new fields. Military exchanges between countries are one of the most important indicators to measure a relationship. As three major countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China, Australia and the US have a pivotal position and role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Australian Defense Minister David Johnston called the upcoming trilateral military drill an “important milestone” in tripartite defense cooperation. He said the move strongly underlines the fact that the three parties have resolved to cooperate in strengthening mutual trust and regional stability.

Second, this means that Chinese, Australian and the US relations are entering a new historical phase, which will benefit the balance of the region.

This is the first time that China will participate in a military exercise in Australia and the first time that China will join Australia and the US in a joint infantry exercise, which will help to further Sino-Australia military cooperation and exchange.

At the same time, the exercise also indicates that the new model of Sino-US military relations is progressing steadily.

The gradual increase in joint military exercises between the two countries in recent years shows that China and the US have recognized that only by seeking common interests, and preventing or eliminating conflicts, can the two parties achieve cooperation and a win-win situation rather than confrontation and conflict.

Finally, it shows the growing confidence and transparency of China and the PLA.

With China's growing military power and influence, Sino-US joint military exercises will become increasingly common. Military cooperation between China and other countries will also receive more attention and bring further positive energy to the region and the rest of the world.

The author is Li Xianrong, associate professor with the PLA National Defense University

The article is edited and translated from《中美联合军演越来越常见》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Li Xianrong