US to increase troops stationed in Australia

The US Tuesday signed a deal to deploy 2,500 Marines to Australia, which will give it a further edge to militarily "encircle" China, despite its repeated reassurance toward Beijing over its intentions.

Some 1,150 Marines are stationed in Darwin in Australia's tropical north under a 2011 agreement that launched US President Barack Obama's current pivot to Asia.

The contingent, primed to respond to regional conflicts and humanitarian crises, will swell to 2,500 by 2017.

A communiqué issued after the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations said that enhanced aircraft and naval cooperation was discussed, while the allies will also examine options for Australia's contributions to ballistic missile defense in the region.

Though no details about the talks were made public, Reuters quoted a source with direct knowledge of the discussions as saying that it involves an increased tempo of visits by US fighter jets and bombers.

"So more US air force visits to northern Australia, where they can use the fabulous Delamere bombing range and they would probably base out of Tindal," the source said, referring to an Australian air force base.

After signing the deal in Sydney, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was not interested in conflict with China. "We welcome the rise of China as a global partner, hopefully as a powerful economy, as a full participating constructive member of the international community," he said.

"We are not seeking conflict and confrontation. And our hope is that China will likewise take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of it and be that cooperative partner."

Chinese analysts rebuffed Kerry's remarks as "insincere," noting the move is clearly targeting China.

Speaking at the start of the talks, Kerry said the Australia-US relationship was "essential to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region," and named maritime disputes in the South China Sea as one of the new challenges in the region.

Li Jie, a military analyst, told the Global Times Tuesday that the US base in northern Australia will operate in conjunction with its existing bases in Japan, South Korea and Guam. He added that it will further boost the US presence in the South China Sea and facilitate its future maneuvers in the region. "It is moving toward encircling China," he said.

Li also noted that given that Darwin is relatively close to the South China Sea, Indonesia and the Strait of Malacca, it will help the US to exert pressure over China by sealing off its maritime passage if necessary.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop earlier defended the deal to bring US Marines and Air Force personnel to the Northern Territory, denying it was aimed at China.

"That's not what it is directed to do at all. It's about working closely with the United States to ensure that we can work on regional peace and security," she told a radio program.

"The United States is rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific … ways we can work together to support economic development as well as security and peace.

"There is a desire to share the burden of implementing regional and global peace and prosperity, security and stability," she said.

Bishop added that there was no more important security partner for Australia than the US and their long-standing alliance "had never been stronger."

Shi Yinhong, a professor at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that the current administration in Canberra has been actively forging close ties with the US and Japan, as it upholds the view that China's military buildup is to some extent affecting its security.

"Therefore, Australia is hoping to strengthen its military with the help of Washington, which has also been pushing for such cooperation," Shi said.

Bishop had caused displeasure in China after she remarked last month that "China doesn't respect weakness" and that Australia will speak up in defense of peace, liberal values and the rule of law.