Military Ties Should Be Conducive To Regional Peace: China On Quad Naval Drill

India and three other Quad member nations - the US, Australia and Japan - on Monday joined France in kick-starting the three-day naval exercises in the eastern Indian Ocean.

China on Tuesday said that military cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace, a day after Quad members, including India, joined France in a mega naval wargame in the Indian Ocean amid Beijing's aggressive actions in the region. India and three other Quad member nations - the US, Australia and Japan - on Monday joined France in kick-starting the three-day naval exercises in the eastern Indian Ocean in reflection of their growing maritime cooperation amid China's growing efforts to expand influence in the region. The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical for India's strategic interests. China has been making concerted efforts to increase its presence in the region. Asked for his reaction to Quad alliance countries joining the French naval exercises "La Perouse" amid reports that the drills are aimed to contain and check China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Tuesday reiterated Beijing's stand that such a cooperation should be conducive to peace in the region.