China Military Drills

Image credits: Department of Defence

China has been conducting a closely-scrutinised military exercise in international waters near Australia and New Zealand, prompting the diversion of flights and increased tensions in the region. The rare presence of three Chinese naval ships in the Tasman Sea has put both antipodean countries on alert, with Australia calling it "unusual". Australian airline Qantas told the BBC it "temporarily adjusted" the routes of its planes and other carriers have reportedly done the same. The ships are now reportedly 340 nautical miles east of the New South Wales coast of Australia, although they were said to have come as close as 150 nautical miles from Sydney at one point.

Australia and New Zealand have been closely monitoring the Chinese fleet - a frigate, a cruiser and a supply tanker - since last week, and have dispatched their own ships to observe them. Earlier this week, New Zealand's Defence Minister Judith Collins said China had not informed them they would be sending warships to their region and "have not deigned to advise us on what they are doing in the Tasman Sea". Meanwhile, Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said that the ships' presence was "not unprecedented, but it is an unusual event". China's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday they were doing naval training and exercises in "distant waters". The exercises were conducted in a safe, standard, and professional manner at all times, in accordance with relevant international laws and practices, spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

The Chinese naval task force was observed deploying a floating target, changing formations, and resetting in a pattern consistent with live-fire exercises. Despite reports of live-fire exercises, the Australian military has not observed direct firing on targets. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as well as Australian defense and foreign affairs officials. Prime Minister Albanese stated that the exercises were conducted in accordance with international law and posed no immediate threat to Australian or New Zealand assets. Senator Penny Wong noted that Australian officials are in direct communication with Chinese authorities to address transparency regarding the drills. She emphasized that it is standard practice for such exercises to include notifications to nearby vessels and aircraft, and that international law requires countries to provide notice of military exercises in international waters.

The incident comes just five days after a meeting between Air Marshal Robert Chipman and senior Chinese military leader General Xu Qiling in Beijing — the first such meeting since 2019. The ABC understands Chinese military officials told Australia that they had cancelled live fire exercises by the warships that they had planned to conduct ahead of the meeting, so as not to disrupt the dialogue. But they did not discuss any future potential exercises. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is expected to meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi this evening. She told ABC's Afternoon Briefing the vessels were being monitored, and that Australia is seeking transparency and communication from China regarding its military activities in the region. The Australian government continues to monitor Chinese naval activities closely, ensuring safety for civilian and military operations.

The situation has sparked concerns about the increasing military presence of China in the region and its potential impact on regional stability. The Australian and International Pilots Association's vice president, Captain Steve Cornell, said the vessel activity was "inconvenient". Whilst it was unusual to have Chinese warships in this part of the world, pilots often have to contend with obstacles to safe navigation, whether that be from military exercises such as this or other events like rocket launches, space debris or volcanic eruptions. The Australian government has called for calm and emphasized that the exercises are being conducted in accordance with international law. However, the incident has highlighted the need for increased dialogue and cooperation between Australia, New Zealand, and China to avoid any potential conflicts in the region.