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By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
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A Chinese flotilla approached the coastline of Australia, a United States ally in the South Pacific Ocean, again as Canberra and Beijing revealed details of the warships' movement.
The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why It Matters
China has expanded its naval reach and presence far away from its shores with the largest navy in the world by hull count, with more than 370 ships and submarines in service. It sent two destroyers to Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, last October.
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The Chinese flotilla has been sailing near Australia since mid-February, which comes after the Chinese military deployed fighter jets to intercept an Australian patrol aircraft over the South China Sea, which Canberra said was an "unsafe and unprofessional interaction."
What to Know
According to the update provided by the Australian Defense Force, the Chinese naval task group, comprised of destroyer CNS Zunyi, frigate CNS Hengyang and replenishment ship CNS Weishanhu, was about 160 nautical miles east of Hobart on the island of Tasmania.
The Chinese flotilla "reentered" Australia's 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Australian military said. The Chinese ships were still outside the Australian territorial waters that extend 12 nautical miles from its shores.
The Chinese ships were 280 nautical miles east of Tasmania the previous day. Australia first reported the presence of the Chinese navy in the Coral Sea northeast of the country on February 13. The ships later sailed to the south and held an exercise southeast of Sydney.
The Australian Defense Force, which monitored the Chinese navy with support from ships and aircraft sent by the New Zealand Defense Force, said it respects the right of all states under international law to exercise freedom of navigation in international waters.
New photos of the Chinese naval task group were also released by the Australian military, showing it transiting the Solomon Sea, located to the north of the Coral Sea, on February 11, and operating in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday.
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The three Chinese ships "recently conducted" combat exercises at an undisclosed location in the Pacific Ocean, the state-run China Central Television disclosed on Tuesday, which attached photos showing they fired at mock targets with guns during a live-fire shooting.
What People Are Saying
The Australian Defense Force said in a statement on Tuesday: "Australia expects all militaries operating in the region to engage transparently, maintain the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and we encourage all states to maintain open communication to ensure their actions support regional security and stability."
China Central Television reported on Tuesday: "The drills lasted several days, as the sailors practiced command execution, technical skills, and coordination in challenging sea conditions and complex scenarios, to enhance the formation's combat readiness and operational versatility."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the Chinese naval task group will transit westward to the waters south of mainland Australia or sail northward to visit Pacific Island countries.
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