Australia, New Zealand Monitor Chinese Warships Near Sydney

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1 day ago

Above: This photo, taken on Jan. 2, 2025, shows the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy during a counterterrorism and antipiracy exercise. Image copyright: Zhang Dayu/Contributor/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Imagesstory last updated 1 day ago

The Facts

Australia and New Zealand are monitoring the presence of three Chinese naval vessels — a frigate, cruiser, and supply tanker — detected sailing approximately 150 nautical miles east of Sydney in Australia's exclusive economic zone.
The Chinese naval group was first spotted off Australia's northeast coast before moving southward. The frigate briefly separated to transit through the Torres Strait before rejoining the formation.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said that while the Chinese vessels were operating "in accordance with international law," their presence was "unusual," adding that Australian forces maintained close surveillance of their movements through naval and aerial monitoring.

The Spin

Anti-China narrative

China's expanding military footprint, from Ream Naval Base in Cambodia to the South China Sea, requires decisive action. The AUKUS (Australia, the UK, and the US) should deepen ties, deploy long-range strike systems, and boost maritime surveillance. Engaging Southeast Asia diplomatically while enhancing regional defense ensures a firm stance against China's assertiveness without sparking conflict.

CSBA Lowy Institute

Pro-China narrative

While Australia likes to appear as a defensive player cautiously dealing with an aggressive China, it's actually on the offensive with its Western allies. Its integration into US military command via AUKUS and hosting US forces in its territory. If Australia truly were a neutral actor in the region that only wanted peace, it wouldn't portray a routine Chinese naval drill as a suspicious operation — a decision clearly meant to provoke China and rile up the West.

Chinadaily.com.cn Global Times