Three Chinese navy ships in the Tasman Sea have moved closer to Australia, sailing in international waters off the east coast while conducting live firing exercises.
This has led to disruptions, including diversions for trans-Tasman flights.
The fleet consists of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.
Australian aviation officials learned of a potential Chinese “live fire” exercise last week when a Virgin Airlines pilot reported warnings he had received via emergency radio frequencies.
On Friday morning, an Emirates flight from Sydney to Christchurch was directly warned by the Chinese military to avoid specific airspace, just before the vessels were believed to have carried out live fire exercises.
On Monday, the Defence Force reported that the ships were 280 nautical miles east of Tasmania, but later updated that they were 218 nautical miles away.
The Australian Defence Force is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with New Zealand authorities.
Defence Minister Judith Collins called the warships’ presence “unusual” but reassured New Zealand citizens that there was no cause for concern.
She noted that while New Zealand sometimes sends ships through the contested Taiwan Strait, it never conducts live-fire exercises there.
Collins confirmed that none of the Chinese vessels were nuclear-powered but acknowledged their weapons are highly capable.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon added that China did not inform New Zealand before carrying out the live-fire drill.
In response, China’s Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Wu Qian accused Australia of “deliberately hyping up” the situation, asserting that the live-fire exercises complied with international law and did not pose a threat to aviation safety.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is expected to address the issue during his upcoming 48-hour visit to Beijing, where he will meet with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
