Three Chinese naval vessels have been traversing the north and eastern coastline of Australia over the past week, most recently spotted 150 nautical miles (277 kilometres on land) off the coast of Sydney.
It is the furthest a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) vessel has sailed down the Australian coast outside of an official visit.
The Australian Defence Department confirmed it was monitoring the three vessels.
The small fleet includes the heavily armed Renhai-class cruiser (named Zunyi), a Jiangkai-class frigate (Hengyang), and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.
“Defence routinely monitors all maritime traffic in Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone and maritime approaches,” the Department told The Epoch Times in a statement.
“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace, under international law, particularly the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
On Feb. 13, the Department revealed it was monitoring the progress of the three People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessels as they sailed through the Coral Sea north of the country, and within the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said his department would “assess everything” about their mission, but noted they were “not doing anything that is contrary to international law.”
“From the moment that they came close to Australia, they have been abiding by international law. But there is no doubt that this is not unprecedented, but an unusual event,” he told Sky News Australia.
“Just as they have a right to be in international waters, which is what they are doing, we have a right to be prudent, to make sure that we are surveilling them, which is what we are doing.”
Marles said Australian frigates and aircraft were tailing the fleet.
In response to the small flotilla’s actions, Australian National University expert associate Jennifer Parker said given the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment, the debate needed to avoid “catastrophising” situations.
“The message that we need to take away from this Chinese task group is that China has the largest navy in the world ... and this will become an increasing trend,” she said, in comments obtained by AAP.
“In the event of a crisis or conflict, they could and would threaten Australia’s maritime trade.
“This should be a reminder of their capabilities, and for the need for Australia to invest in our maritime capabilities as an island trading nation.”
The actions of the warships comes just days after the 23rd Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on Feb. 17, attended by Australia’s Vice Chief of the Defence Force Robert Chipman, and Deputy Secretary Strategy Hugh Jeffrey.
The CCP delegation was led by General Xu Qiling.
Both sides exchanged views on bilateral, global, and regional security issues, as well as military transparency and communication.
