CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — China’s contribution of ships and planes to the Indian Ocean search for the missing Malaysian airliner showed the trust and familiarity that had developed between the Chinese and Australian militaries, Australia’s Defense Chief Gen. David Hurley said on Monday.

Hurley and Defense Secretary Dennis Richardson told a Senate committee that relations between the two militaries were strong and remained unaffected by strategic rivalry between China — Australia’s most important trade partner — and Australia’s most important security ally, the United States.

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