China’s recent warship drills near Australia and New Zealand have prompted alarm among regional leaders. Three Chinese naval ships conducted live fire exercises in international waters beneath a busy commercial flight path over the Tasman Sea, forcing flights to divert on short notice.
The drills took place in Australia’s exclusive economic zone, where China’s vessels were sailing “not unprecedented, but unusual,” Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said. However, commercial flights between the two countries hurriedly diverted after receiving warnings from the Chinese warships about a live firing exercise.
Analysts say the episode highlights escalating regional tensions over China’s growing influence in the South Pacific. China has been seeking security deals with small island nations in the region, raising anxiety among Wellington and Canberra about the prospect of fierce territorial contests.
Leaders from both countries emphasized that China did not breach international law, but said the warships should have given more notice before conducting live fire exercises. The activities also raised eyebrows because they happened further south than usual.
The drills were seen as a demonstration of China’s growing size and capabilities in the region, where Beijing is ambitious for a larger presence. Australian leaders are rethinking their celebration of improved ties with China after the latest developments could undermine their signature foreign policy achievement.
China has rejected suggestions that its military did not warn of its activities, saying it repeatedly issued safety notices in advance. However, analysts say China’s annoyance about Australia’s growing military ties in Asia might be one reason for the maneuvers.
The episode highlights the risks of China’s growing influence in the South Pacific and the need for regional leaders to reassess their relationships with Beijing. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Australia-New Zealand-China relations.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/china-tasman-sea-australia-zealand-military-ships-822b6e993d93f27c1501139df5c9acd6