Australia Requests Clarification on China's Military Build-up

In a diplomatic move reminiscent of the Cold War, Australia has asked China to explain its alleged military build-up in the region. The request comes after a US think tank reported that Beijing had deployed 150,000 troops and tens of thousands of military vehicles to training sites near the Australian border. China has not acknowledged these allegations. Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, stressed the importance of transparency, invoking the increased bilateral cooperation between the two nations and China's counter-terrorism drills in Afghanistan, and called for reassurance from Beijing about its regional intentions. The international community has expressed concern about the potential for escalating tensions.