A trilateral military exercise among forces from China, Australia and the United States is underway in Australia. [Photo: Xinhua]

A trilateral military exercise among forces from China, Australia and the United States is underway in Australia.

Yang Yujun with the Chinese Defense Ministry says the exercise is focused mostly on survival training.

"The joint exercise will promote mutual understanding and friendship, deepen military cooperation and improve ground forces' operational capabilities and real-combat training levels."

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense has announced plans for a joint naval exercise with Malaysia next month.

"The exercise will include joint escort training, naval hijacking drills, weapons training and humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercises."

This will be the first joint exercise between the militaries of China and Malaysia.