Talisman Sabre, the largest-ever military exercise in Australia, involving 35,000 personnel from 19 nations, is underway. The three-week exercise, which includes activities in Papua New Guinea for the first time, is expected to be monitored by Chinese spy ships, a pattern from previous years. Australian Defence Minister Pat Conroy stated that Australia will monitor Chinese activities but will continue the exercises as planned. The drills coincide with Prime Minister Albanese's visit to China, though he won't raise the surveillance issue with President Xi Jinping.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.