Top Chinese general visits Australia

The second in command of China's military is in Australia for top-level talks covering growing defence co-operation and tensions in disputed Asian waters.

General Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, is in Perth on Wednesday to visit a Chinese ship engaged in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft.

The general will be in Canberra on Thursday for meetings with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Defence Minister David Johnston, Defence chief Mark Binskin and department secretary Dennis Richardson.

It follows Mr Abbott's visit to China in April when he foreshadowed growing defence co-operation and joint military exercises.

Initially, that's more likely to involve joint maritime activities rather than troops.

Chinese ships are exercising with Australian vessels and those of other nations in the world's biggest maritime exercise Rimpac 14, the US-hosted biennial military manoeuvres conducted on and around Hawaii.

Talks with Gen Fan will focus on practical ways to deepen defence co-operation, picking up the thread from Mr Abbott's visit.

"Australia is committed to developing a strong and positive defence relationship and working with the People's Liberation Army to enhance mutual understanding," a spokesman for Senator Johnston said on Wednesday.

The talks will also cover a range of topics beyond defence co-operation and include rising tensions from China pressing long-standing territorial claims in regional waters.

China has also expressed concerns about Japan's increasingly robust strategic outlook.

Senator Johnston said Australia's growing defence relationship with Japan did not detract from the relationship with China.

"Our co-operation with Japan is not directed at any country or countries," his spokesman said.