Australia and Vietnam said Tuesday they would expand cooperation between their militaries as the middle powers face down Beijing’s expanding reach in the Pacific and the South China Sea. “Our defence industries, as well as our defence forces, are cooperating more and more,” Albanese said in opening remarks as he met with the Vietnamese leader. The Vietnamese leader’s visit to Australia comes as both countries chafe against a growing military build-up by China in the region. Australia is also overseeing a once-in-a-generation expansion of its defence forces and a growing US military footprint on its territory in a bid to counter Beijing’s build-up of forces. Territorial claims in the South China Sea.