WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Authorities in Australia and New Zealand have voiced their concerns regarding China’s recent military exercises, which were conducted in the waters between the two nations without sufficient prior notice. The naval drills, involving live-fire activities, were executed under busy commercial flight routes over the Tasman Sea, resulting in urgent diversions of air traffic.
These drills, carried out by three Chinese naval vessels, took place over the weekend in international waters, specifically in the Tasman Sea, which stretches approximately 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) between Australia and New Zealand. The Australian government noted that the warships operated unusually close to Australia’s coastline during this period.
The group of Chinese military ships entered Australia’s exclusive economic zone, an area providing economic rights to the country beyond its territorial waters. According to Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, while such occurrences are not unheard of, they remain atypical. On Friday, the situation escalated as commercial airline pilots were promptly informed to divert their flights due to the live-fire exercise being conducted below them.
Although the presence of live fire remains unverified, a New Zealand naval ship reported observing firing during its monitoring efforts on Saturday. Political leaders from both Australia and New Zealand highlighted that, although China had not violated any international laws, the lack of advanced notification before engaging in live-fire drills was concerning. Additionally, the fact that these activities occurred further south than usual provoked further unease within the governments.
New Zealand’s Defense Minister, Judith Collins, pointed out that the notification for the live-fire activities was given only a few hours in advance, as opposed to the expected notice of 12 to 24 hours. Although China was under no legal obligation to provide such advance warning, Collins noted that officials would be seeking assurances from the Chinese embassy regarding similar future exercises. She expressed uncertainty about upcoming plans for the vessels but reassured that there was no imminent danger to either country, refraining from openly criticizing China’s military maneuvers.
China stands as the primary export partner for both nations, and this incident comes after a period of thawing relations between Beijing and Australia, which had recently been marked by a relaxation of previous trade restrictions. This new situation could force Australian officials to reconsider their celebration of warmed ties with China, according to Michael Shoebridge, who previously served as a defense and security official in Australia. He observed that acknowledging the reality of growing Chinese military aggression challenges the perceived diplomatic success of recent Australian foreign policy initiatives.
In response, Chinese authorities have denied claims that they failed to provide adequate notice, with Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China’s Defense Ministry, insisting that multiple safety notices were issued prior to the exercises. Wu accused Australian officials of making unfounded claims and inflating the situation unnecessarily.
Experts speculate that China’s military display may stem from dissatisfaction with Australia’s strengthening of military alliances in Asia, notably with nations like Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, all of which have their own territorial disputes with China. This assertiveness from Australia in the region heightens concerns in Beijing, particularly as it seeks to fortify its influence among small island nations in the South Pacific, an approach that has prompted anxiety in both Wellington and Canberra.
Observers like Shoebridge warn that the dynamics in Southeast Asia should serve as a cautionary tale. He believes the presence of the Chinese military, notorious for its aggressive posture in those regions, should not be welcomed in the South Pacific, where it could incite heightened tensions among nations.
