Chinese Warships Sit Off the Coast of Sydney

In a move that has been described as an aggressive demonstration of power, three Chinese warships currently sit off the coast of Sydney, in full view of the Australian public.

This unexpected and unsettling sight has raised alarms within Australia's defence community.

The warships, including a guided missile cruiser and two destroyers, are capable of carrying out a wide range of operations, from missile strikes to surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

In response to the situation, Australian defence officials have urged calm, stating that the presence of the Chinese ships does not pose an immediate military threat.

They have emphasised that the Australian Navy continues to monitor the situation closely and maintains a high level of readiness.

Chinese officials have downplayed any suggestion of hostility, describing the presence of the warships as a routine operation in international waters.

According to Chinese state media, the vessels are conducting training exercises in the region, in line with China's ongoing naval operations and increasing presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's defense minister, Judith Collins, has raised concerns about Chinese warships off Australia's east coast, emphasizing the "extremely capable" weapons on board, including a ship with 112 vertical launch cells and a missile range of 540 nautical miles.

These vessels, part of Taskgroup 107, recently conducted live-fire exercises in the region, which disrupted civil aviation due to short notice.

Collins criticized China's brief warning before the drills, calling it insufficient. Australia’s government is monitoring the situation closely, demanding clearer communication from China.