Over the weekend, three Chinese warships conducted live-fire drills off Sydney’s coast, entering international waters without prior notice to Australian authorities.
Commercial pilots were directly radioed by the ships, urging them to divert their course. The Australian Defence Force confirmed the incident, stating: “Airservices Australia issued a Hazard Advisory”.
“The PLA-N did not inform Defence of its intent to conduct live-fire activity and has not provided any further information.”
So what has happened and should Australia be worried?
On Tuesday morning’s episode of The Briefing, we talked to Peter Hartcher, Political and International Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, to unpack it all.
Hartcher suggested China’s move was designed to make Australia “feel vulnerable” and to assert its growing military influence in the Indo-Pacific.
“It’s unusual, but it is entirely legal. The reason is that China, the government of Xi Jinping in particular, wants to make Australia feel vulnerable. It’s been a long time in the works and now it’s here.”
Although the Chinese warships were within their rights to conduct military exercises in international waters, Australia did not receive the usual advance notice.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong is expected to address the issue with China, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also raised the matter with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The incident has raised concerns about China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region and its potential implications for regional security.
Experts suggest that China’s actions could be a response to Australia’s strengthened security ties with countries like Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
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