On February 21, Australia expressed concern over the Chinese navy conducting live-fire exercises in international waters between Australia and New Zealand. The short notice provided by China forced multiple airlines to adjust flight routes at the last minute. The New Zealand Defense Minister commented that China’s actions serve as a “warning bell” to New Zealand, reminding them of the vulnerability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia’s Defense issued a statement stating that the Chinese navy announced over civilian aircraft radio frequency its plan to conduct live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, 346 nautical miles (641 kilometers) from the town of Eden in Australia.
The statement mentioned that the People’s Liberation Army Navy did not inform the Defense Department of its intention to conduct live-fire exercises nor provide any further information.
Australia believes that the live-fire exercises may have already concluded as the Chinese navy fleet has returned to normal status.
Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, stated that the Chinese actions did not pose an imminent threat to Australian or New Zealand assets. He mentioned that China followed protocol by issuing a warning of the activities outside Australia’s exclusive economic zone.
Albanese further explained that the location of the exercises was at least 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) away from the coast and assured that he was in contact with the New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, regarding the matter.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, in an interview with ABC, mentioned that Chinese naval vessels broadcasted a message which was received by airlines or commercial flights crossing the Tasman Sea. He emphasized that although China followed international law regarding providing notification, the short notice put commercial flights in an unsettling position, necessitating swift route changes.
The Australian government has inquired why China conducted live-fire exercises between Australia and New Zealand without prior notification to avoid disruptions to commercial flights.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to discuss the issue with the Chinese Foreign Minister during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in South Africa.
Last week, Chinese naval escort ships, cruisers, and supply ships entered Australian waters and navigated along the east coast of Australia this week under surveillance by the Australian and New Zealand navies and air forces.
On Thursday, New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins expressed that China’s actions were “unusual” as they received no notification from the Chinese government regarding the deployment of the task group to their region or its future plans.
Collins warned that the presence of the fleet signifies that countries in the Indo-Pacific region can no longer rely solely on distance to protect themselves, emphasizing that it serves as a wake-up call.
The incident follows a complaint by Australia against Chinese fighter jets for their “dangerous and unprofessional” behavior towards Australian maritime patrol aircraft in the South China Sea a week earlier.
A Chinese fighter jet had fired flares at an Australian patrol aircraft conducting a routine inspection in international waters in the South China Sea.
On February 18, a Chinese helicopter flew within three meters of a Philippine coast guard plane carrying journalists.
The provocations by China towards Australia and New Zealand may be linked to both countries’ deployment of warships through the Taiwan Strait in September last year, seen as provocative by Beijing.
China’s provocations may also be a demonstration to the United States, as Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, visited Australia from February 17 to 20 and held discussions with Australia’s Joint Operations Command in Canberra.
(*This article references reporting from Reuters)