Three Chinese warships that recently completed live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea have re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone and are currently being tracked operating east of Hobart.
The Defence Department has confirmed it is working with New Zealand’s military to jointly track the People’s Liberation Army-Navy flotilla “in the vicinity of Australia’s maritime approaches” as the task force makes its way closer to Tasmania.
“Task Group 107 re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the early hours of this morning,” the Defence Department said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon.
“PLA-N Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, is operating approximately 160 nautical miles (296 kilometres) east of Hobart,” the statement said.
“Australia expects all militaries operating in the region to engage transparently, maintain the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and we encourage all states to maintain open communication to ensure their actions support regional security and stability.
“We respect the right of all states under international law 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.”
The department has also released new images of the PLA-N warships that are being “closely monitored” by the Australian and New Zealand militaries.
At the same time, Defence released further images taken of the PLA-N task force which caused disruption to international flights across the Tasman on Friday when beginning live-fire exercises.
Aviation officials have revealed they first learnt of last week’s potential Chinese live-fire military exercise in the Tasman Sea after a Virgin Airlines pilot relayed warnings he had picked up mid-flight via an emergency radio frequency.
During an appearance on ABC’s Q+A on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the action occurred outside Australia’s economic zone and that notice had been given, though it would have been better if there had been more warning.
“So we put in an official protest, if you like, that more notice should have been given if this activity was to occur,” he said.
