Aust, China to boost military co-operation

Canberra and Beijing have reportedly agreed to increased military co-operation in 2015, including exchanges, training and strategic dialogue.

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott greets China's President Xi Jinping during the G20 (AP Photo/G20 Australia, Steve Christo)

Australia and China will reportedly bolster their military co-operation in 2015.

Following annual bilateral talks in Beijing, Defence Force Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC announced that the countries had agreed to enhanced co-operation, ABC reported.

"We discussed the forward program of engagement between the Department of Defence and the Peoples' Liberation Army in 2015, including strategic dialogue, service engagement, practical co-operation activities, personnel exchanges and training and education opportunities," Air Chief Marshal Binskin said in a statement.

The report said Australian officials had confirmed there would be new defence endeavours between the two nations, but did not give details.

China's official state run Xinhua service reported that the announcement followed a meeting between Vice Chairman of China's Central military Commission, Fan Changlong, Air Chief Marshal Binskin and Australia's Secretary of Defence Dennis Richardson.