Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles stated that Australia is closely monitoring Chinese military ships traversing waters off its coast. While the ships are abiding by international law, Marles described the situation as unusual. Australia has the right to surveil the ships as they have the right to be located in international waters. The Australian Department of Defense confirmed the presence of a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) task group, consisting of a frigate, cruiser, and replenishment vessel.
The Chinese vessels had travelled through Southeast Asia before entering Australia’s maritime approaches. The Financial Times reported that Australia’s navy had been shadowing China’s vessels 150 nautical miles east of Sydney. New Zealand’s military was also monitoring the Chinese vessels in coordination with Australia. New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins stated that they had not been informed by the Chinese government about the task group’s deployment and future plans, and they would continue monitoring the vessels as they operate in the region.
A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson confirmed that a range of their assets had been deployed alongside Australia’s to monitor the Chinese task group as it moved through the Tasman Sea. The Chinese vessels have been operating in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). A Chinese fighter plane released flares near a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft in the South China Sea earlier in the month, posing a risk to the aircraft and personnel. Despite this, no harm was caused to Australia’s plane and Defense Force personnel during the incident.
The PLA-AF’s unsafe and unprofessional interaction with the RAAF P-8A aircraft is a cause for concern and highlights the need for continued monitoring and surveillance of Chinese military activities in the region. The Australian government and its counterparts in New Zealand are committed to ensuring the safety and security of their territories and waters in the face of potential threats. It remains unclear why the Chinese task group was deployed to the region and what their future plans entail, underscoring the importance of vigilance and readiness in response to any potential escalations in geopolitical tensions.
As China’s military presence in the region grows, it is imperative for Australia and New Zealand to maintain a strong defense posture and cooperate closely with each other and other allies to ensure the integrity of their maritime borders and territorial sovereignty. The recent incident involving the Chinese fighter plane serves as a reminder of the need for effective communication and coordination among allied forces to deter any aggressive actions by foreign powers. Both countries remain committed to upholding international law and norms in the region and will continue to monitor and respond to any threats to their security and stability.
