Chinese warships in show of force off coast of Sydney

A Chinese naval task group was sailing just 150 nautical miles off Sydney on Wednesday in an unprecedented projection of power.

The People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang near northeast Australia. Picture: Department of Defence

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

A Chinese naval task group was sailing just 150 nautical miles off Sydney on Wednesday in an unprecedented demonstration by Beijing of its ability to project power down Australia’s east coast.

Two Australian navy ships were trailing the Chinese vessels, which had been operating in Australia’s exclusive economic zone for a week. It is believed to be the furthest down Australia’s east coast that Chinese ships have sailed without being on an official port visit.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australian frigates and aircraft were “watching every move that they take”.

“They’re not a threat in the sense that they are engaging in accordance with international law,” he told Sky News.

“But it is important that we understand exactly what is happening here and we will make sure that we look at every move they make to have a very clear assessment of what this, on the part of the Chinese, is seeking to achieve.”

Defence revealed last week it was tracking the People’s Liberation Army Navy ships – a frigate, a cruiser and a replenishment vessel – in international waters off Australia’s northeast coast.

But it neglected to make public in the days since that the ships had turned south, or that they were headed for Australia’s biggest city.

Former naval officer Jennifer Parker, an adjunct fellow at UNSW Canberra, said the presence of the ships was a warning to Australia.

“It is of course sending a message to Australia’s about the PLA-N’s capability,” she said. “We must become accustomed to these kind of operations. The lesson here is China has a bluewater capability, a point we already knew.

“In the event of crisis or conflict, we should expect more operations in our region and likely interdiction of our maritime trade. This is why Australia should invest in a strong navy.”

A Defence spokeswoman said the Chinese ships were being closely watched.

“Defence routinely monitors all maritime traffic in Australia’s exclusive economic zone and maritime approaches,” she said.

“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace, under international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

The appearance of the vessels off Sydney – which does not breach international law – follows an incident over the South China Sea last week in which a Chinese fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft.

The Albanese government has lodged an official protest with Beijing over the incident that risked the lives of up to a dozen Australians, but China’s foreign ministry spokesman defended the behaviour and said Beijing had lodged its own diplomatic protest.

It also came just days after senior Australian Defence personnel met with Chinese counterparts in Beijing for the 23rd Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.

Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force Robert Chipman attended the talks, meeting with Deputy Chief of the PLA Joint Staff Department, General Xu Qiling.

Defence said Air Marshal Chipman reiterated the importance of all countries in the region operating in a safe and professional manner at all times to avoid the risk of miscalculation or escalation.