BEIJING, July 31  -- China, Australia and the United States will conduct their first trilateral military exercise in October, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.

"Exercise Kowari" of the three armies will take place in Australia, Geng Yansheng told a regular press briefing.

Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, visited Australia from July 16 to 19, and reached consensus with the Australian side on developing military relations, according to Geng.

The two sides formally announced the military exercise during this visit, said Geng.

The general toured Australian naval and army facilities.

The three sides will now jointly prepare for the exercise, Geng said.