Chinese Warships Conduct Live-Fire Drill Near Australia and New Zealand

Image credits: Australian Defence Force

The presence of three Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea has sparked concern in Australia and New Zealand, with the vessels conducting an apparent live-fire drill in international waters. The Chinese navy notified the Australian defence department shortly before the drill, which was conducted about 340 nautical miles off the coast of New South Wales. The exercise involved the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, and was monitored by a New Zealand navy vessel.

The drill resulted in the diversion of at least three commercial flights, with airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand adjusting their routes to avoid the area. The Australian government has asked China for more information on the live-fire drill and plans for any further exercises, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating that the activity was consistent with international law and that China had given warning. However, the opposition has accused the government of being weak in its response to the situation, with the shadow minister for defence, Andrew Hastie, blaming the "latest provocation" on the prime minister's failure to stand up for Australia's defence personnel.

The incident has highlighted the growing naval presence of China in the region, with security analysts describing the events as "unprecedented". The Chinese warships' presence in the Tasman Sea has been closely monitored by Australia and New Zealand, with both countries dispatching their own ships to observe the vessels. The exercise has also sparked concerns about the potential for future military activity in the region, with privately Australian and US officials believing it could be a preview of further and more assertive Chinese action.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has pressed China to be more transparent about the actions of its warships off Australia's east coast, meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa. The meeting came after China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun brushed off a question about the drill, saying the exercises were "conducted in a safe, standard, and professional manner at all times, in accordance with relevant international laws and practices". The incident has also raised concerns about the potential for disruption to commercial air traffic, with the Civil Aviation Authority and Airservices Australia issuing an alert to all commercial airlines with flights planned in the area.

The timeline of events surrounding the live-fire drill is as follows: * Friday: The Chinese warships conduct the live-fire drill in international waters, resulting in the diversion of commercial flights. * Friday: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese states that the activity was consistent with international law and that China had given warning. * Friday: The opposition accuses the government of being weak in its response to the situation. * Friday: Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to press for more transparency about the actions of China's warships. * Earlier this month: A Chinese fighter jet releases flares in front of an Australian military aircraft while flying over the South China Sea. * May last year: Australia accuses a Chinese fighter plane of dropping flares close to an Australian navy helicopter that was part of a UN Security Council mission on the Yellow Sea. * November 2023: Canberra accuses Beijing's navy of using sonar pulses in international waters off Japan, resulting in Australian divers suffering injuries.