|
The first batch of 2,500 US Marines to be deployed in Australia began work on Wednesday as Washington bolsters its presence in the Asia-Pacific to "seek a balance of power with China". Some 200 Marines touched down in tropical Darwin overnight as part of an enhanced defense cooperation outlined during a visit by US President Barack Obama in November. The troops are in the Northern Territory on a six-month rotational basis and will be based at Robertson Barracks on the outskirts of the city, building to some 2,500 by 2016-2017. The Chinese Foreign Ministry had no response to the troop deployment as of press time on Wednesday. But ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said earlier that against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy and an international consensus and focus on promoting development, it is worth debating whether strengthening and expanding the US-Australia military alliance is appropriate and consistent with the common aspirations of countries in the region and the international community. Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, in late November criticized the US' strengthened military pact with Australia, calling it a figment of "Cold War mentality" that will destabilize the Asia-Pacific region. "Military alliances were created by history. We think that all moves to strengthen and expand military alliances are a product of a Cold War mentality that runs counter to the trend of peace, development and cooperation," Geng said. | 
