In a significant display of military vigilance, Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced that Australian ships and aircraft are collaborating closely with New Zealand’s military to monitor a Chinese naval taskforce navigating southward along Australia’s eastern coastline. The opposition has characterized Beijing’s movements as “provocative.”
The Defence Department confirmed last night that it continues to track a flotilla comprising a Chinese frigate, cruiser, and supply ship, which is currently located approximately 150 nautical miles east of Sydney. Analysts have described this naval deployment as an “unprecedented” demonstration of China’s capacity to project power in the region.
Initially detected in the Coral Sea, northeast of Queensland, the Chinese taskforce has since moved into Australia’s exclusive economic zone. Minister Marles elaborated that a Jiangkai-class guided missile frigate had previously separated from the group to transit through the Torres Strait before rejoining the others.
Chinese state media indicated that the People’s Liberation Army Navy had conducted a “real-combat” exercise in the Pacific prior to this transit.
While acknowledging the situation, Marles emphasized that China is operating within its rights under international law and has not breached Australia’s territorial waters. “Australia is also entitled to be prudent, and we are monitoring very closely what the activities of the task group are,” he stated.
He refrained from speculating on the mission’s intent but confirmed that a comprehensive assessment would follow its conclusion. “What we will do, whenever this mission is over, is engage in a full assessment of what the Chinese were seeking to achieve,” he said.
Marles noted that while the Chinese naval presence is “unusual,” it is not without precedent. New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins echoed this sentiment, affirming that her country’s military is also keeping a watchful eye on the flotilla in coordination with Australia.
Speculation surrounds the timing of this naval activity, with diplomatic sources suggesting it may coincide with the visit of Admiral Samuel Paparo, the commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, to Canberra.
In a separate incident last week, the Defence Department disclosed a confrontation between an Australian surveillance plane and a Chinese fighter jet in the South China Sea, though officials clarified that this was unrelated to the current naval taskforce.
This development comes as a reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, echoing past events such as the 2019 visit of three Chinese warships to Sydney Harbour, which occurred without prior public announcement from the then-Morrison government. As tensions continue to evolve, Australia and its allies remain vigilant in safeguarding their interests amidst rising military activities in the Pacific.
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