The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley has been misquoted by News Limited on Australia's relationship with China.
A number of News Limited publications and online reports incorrectly quoted an excerpt from General Hurley's interview on ABC Radio National Breakfast radio program on Friday 18 November.
When asked whether he thought the increased US troop presence in Australia would make this country a target for Chinese hostilities, General Hurley replied:
"Our relationship with China is well beyond that at the present time, I mean we have a very strong military to military relationship with China.
"We exercise with them, we are the only country in the world that's done live firing with the Chinese Navy, I don't think we should be worried about that."
Earlier this month Australian Defence officials hosted General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People’s Liberation Army for the 14th annual Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.
The two countries agreed to a plan to enhance Defence engagement over the next two years demonstrating Australia and China’s joint commitment to further develop the defence relationship particularly in the areas of: maritime security; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation; peacekeeping exchanges, senior-level dialogue and professional and working level exchanges.
The full audio from General Hurley's interview can be found at:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2011/3369844.htm
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations - 02 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
