US Military Media: "Anti-China Quad's First Joint Exercise Among 4 Countries Will Be a Nightmare for China"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] A U.S. military specialized media outlet predicted that the joint military exercises of the four-nation security consultative group 'Quad'?comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India?scheduled for next month will become a nightmare for China.

On the 21st (local time), U.S. military media Defense News stated, "Australia's decision to participate in the military exercises is due to provocations from China." Defense News evaluated that considering the economic power, defense capabilities, and geographical locations of these four countries, the Quad is highly likely to become a nightmare scenario for the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army.

This joint military exercise marks Australia's participation for the first time in 13 years. The Indian Ministry of Defense recently announced that Australia would be invited to this year's 'Malabar,' the annual joint naval exercise involving the U.S., India, and Japan. India has conducted joint exercises with the U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea since 1992, and Japan has participated since 2015. Australia conducted a joint exercise once in 2007 but had not participated recently due to considerations regarding its relationship with China.

China has expressed concerns about the Quad's joint military exercises. It also showed caution regarding the recent meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries in Tokyo under the name of the Quad bloc, stating that they are trying to create an "Indo-Pacific version of NATO."

In response, Defense News suggested that these exercises could be on a different level compared to the existing joint exercises conducted by the U.S., India, and Japan. It is possible that highly advanced warfare training integrating military forces and developing complex cooperation systems in air and maritime domains will be conducted. Defense News explained, "With the political will of the four countries to conduct the exercises confirmed, it is the role of military planners and commanders to produce a deterrent effect against China."