A senior government official from the United States has revealed that the U.S. military will be sending B-1 strategic bombers and other surveillance aircraft to Australia, in an effort to thwart China's plans of claiming South China Sea territories, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reports.
Speaking before a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, David Shear, the U.S. Defense assistant secretary for Asian Pacific Security said that "additional air force assets" will be placed in Australia to bolster military power in the South China Sea, where China has been reportedly claiming territories by constructing artificial reefs, installing communications systems and setting up harbors and airfields.
"We will be moving significant numbers of Marines to Hawaii, Guam and Australia, so we will have a very strong presence, very strong continued posture throughout the region to back our commitments to our allies, to protect and work with our partners and to continue ensuring peace and stability in the region. As well as back our diplomacy viz-a-viz China on the South China Sea," Shear told the audience during the hearing, which was called "Safeguarding American Interests in the East and South China Seas," according to Sky News.
The B-1 bomber is referred to as its most powerful long-range bomber and is being used by the U.S. military against the war in Iraq, according to ABC Australia.
But a spokesperson from the Australian Defense Department, who knew of the comments made by Shear, said the American government has already advised Australia that the concerned official has "misspoke."
"These initiatives are about improving cooperation between Australia, the United States and other countries in the region. They are not directed at any one country," said the spokesperson.
"A range a different US aircraft already visits Australia for exercises and training. Increased cooperation will build on these activities," clarified the spokesperson, according to the SMH report.
