Second Chinese spy ship headed for Australia’s east coast

A second hi-tech Chinese surveillance ship is headed into Australian waters, after the first was spotted off Queensland last week.

A second Chinese spy ship is heading towards Australia’s east coast to monitor a major military exercise.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the hi-tech surveillance ship Haiwangxing will join its sister ship in the coming days.

It comes after the Tianguanxing was spotted in waters off Queensland last week.

It is the first time China has sent more than one ship to monitor the Talisman Sabre war games, Australia’s largest biennial training collaboration with the US which got underway last Wednesday and runs until August 1.

Sources said they expect the Chinese ships to remain outside Australian territorial waters.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said: “We are aware that a second People’s Liberation Army (navy) General Intelligence Ship, the Haiwangxing (AGI-792) is approaching Australia’s east coast via the Solomon Sea.

Image of a second People’s Liberation Army (Navy) General Intelligence Ship, the Haiwangxing (AGI-792) approaching Australia’s east coast via the Solomon Sea.

“We have been monitoring its approach to Australia as part of our broader surveillance effort and assess that it will move to the vicinity of the Talisman Sabre 21 exercise area.

“The Haiwangxing, like it’s sister ship the Tianguanxing, has acted lawfully during it’s transit and we expect it to continue to do so.”

The two vessels did not travel to the area together and approached on different routes several days apart.

The Australian Defence Force is understood to have planned for significant international interest in Talisman Sabre and has taken measures to safeguard information security of participating forces.

Talisman Sabre is described as a complex warfighting exercise that enables Australian and US forces to closely work together in a realistic scenario.

“Defence will continue to monitor the presence of these vessels,” Mr Dutton said.

“The presence of the Haiwangxing and Tianguanxing will not detract from this exercise.

“Australia respects the right of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace, just as we expect others to respect our right to do the same.”

Australia and the US are participating in a training collaboration called Talisman Sabre.

As part of the Talisman Sabre exercise last week the US Army fired a Patriot missile in Australia for the first time.

The weapon is equipped with a track-via-missile guidance system, meaning it can receive course corrections while it’s mid-flight.

A long-range, all-weather and altitude air defence system, the Patriot is designed to counter cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and aircraft.

The current training operation is the ninth iteration of the Talisman Sabre exercise.

It includes amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, urban warfare training, air combat and maritime operations.

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