Australia: China not a threat

CANBERRA: Australia's defense chief said yesterday that China was not a military threat and denied that Beijing had complained about Canberra's multibillion-dollar plan to beef up its navy and air force.

Australia has worked out a $75 billion strategic plan to strengthen its defense forces over 20 years. Defense Force Chief Angus Houston told reporters that Beijing had been briefed on the plan before it was released publicly last week.

"It was well received, I believe, in Beijing," Houston, the country's top military commander, said at a press conference. "We have a very mature relationship with China."