Australia and New Zealand are closely tracking the movement of three Chinese navy ships spotted in international waters off Australia’s eastern coast. The vessels comprising a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply tanker were first observed last week and have since been charting a course southward, reaching approximately 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles described the presence of the warships as “unusual” but assured that they are not perceived as a threat. “We are keeping a close watch on them, and we will make sure we are watching every move,” Marles said in a television interview. He added that while China has the right to operate in international waters, Australia also has the right to monitor their movements.
New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins confirmed that her country is also observing the Chinese vessels. “We have not been informed by the Chinese government why this task group has been deployed into our region, and we have not been informed what its future plans are,” Collins stated.
The appearance of the Chinese ships comes amid ongoing military tensions between China and Australia. Just last week, Canberra accused a Chinese fighter jet of engaging in “unsafe” military conduct by dropping flares near an Australian Air Force aircraft patrolling the South China Sea. In response, Beijing accused the Australian aircraft of violating Chinese sovereignty.
This is not the first such incident. In 2024, a Chinese jet allegedly intercepted an Australian Seahawk helicopter in international airspace, deploying flares across its flight path. In 2023, an Australian Navy diving team reported being hit with sonar pulses from a Chinese destroyer in waters off Japan, causing minor injuries.
As China increases its naval presence in the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand remain on high alert, ensuring the stability of their territorial waters and maintaining regional security.
