Beijing, Aug 27 (IANS): China, Australia and the US on Thursday commenced a trilateral military exercise in Australia, officials said. This is the second defence exercise between the three armies.

Exercise Kowari will run in Darwin, Australia, until September 14, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chinese and Australian troops will also hold bilateral defence exercise "Exercise Panda-Kangaroo" in Canberra and Sydney, Australia, from September 20 to 28, Yang said.

"Both exercises are aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, deepening defence cooperation and strengthening the armies' operational abilities," he said.

According to Yang, both exercises focus on field survival training. Exercise Kowari includes predation and making fire in the wild, positioning in the jungle and building shelters, while Exercise Panda-Kangaroo includes canoeing, cavern survival and mountain climbing.