News Desk
SYDNEY – A Chinese naval operation that saw warships sail alarmingly close to Australian territory has reignited anxieties over Beijing’s military ambitions, as Canberra scrambles to assess the implications of the bold maneuver.
The Australian military first spotted three Chinese warships on Feb. 10 in the Arafura Sea, off the country’s northern coastline. What followed was an unprecedented show of force—what Defence Minister Richard Marles suggested could be a full circumnavigation of the Australian continent.
The alarm bells rang louder on Feb. 21 when the Chinese vessels triggered mass flight disruptions by abruptly announcing live-fire exercises roughly 640 km off Australia’s east coast. Nearly 50 commercial flights were rerouted. The warships, sailing just 150 nautical miles from Sydney, effectively carried out a shadow tour of Australian waters with little warning—an unmistakable reminder of Beijing’s expanding military reach.
Though the drills did not technically violate international law, they exposed deep divisions within Australia’s political and security circles. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose government has sought a delicate balancing act with Beijing since his 2022 election, played down the significance of the Chinese presence. He acknowledged the lack of notice given for the live-fire exercises but maintained that China had acted within legal bounds.
Not everyone was as diplomatic. Former Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo suggested the Australian Defence Force should have sent fighter jets and submarines to track the warships, making it clear they had entered what he termed the “kill zone.” His remarks underscore a growing hawkish sentiment within Australia, where many view Beijing’s actions as a direct challenge to national security.
As China’s military presence in the Pacific grows, so too does the unease in Canberra. Whether Australia chooses to confront Beijing more aggressively or maintain a cautious approach, the message from China is unmistakable: its naval ambitions are no longer confined to the South China Sea.
