Chinese and Russian military officials have been barred from attending a major international naval conference in Sydney, Australia, attended by naval chiefs from 40 countries.
In previous years, officers from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy were invited to attend the biennial Indo-Pacific 2022 International Maritime Exposition—the first one held since the pandemic ended.
However, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan of the Royal Australian Navy opted against inviting Chinese leaders due to “deteriorating relations,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and the ongoing trade war being waged by Beijing against Australian exporters.
Russian invitations were also torn up in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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