The Chinese military admitted to conducting “live-fire” drills, which have caused flight path disruptions.
The three Chinese Navy ships in the Tasman Sea have moved into Australia’s economic zone, with defence officials assuming the taskforce is backed by a nuclear-powered submarine.
It comes as the Royal New Zealand Navy crews monitoring the vessels release new photos of the fleet as the Chinese force edges closer to our neighbours' shores.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said the Chinese ships have moved towards the south of Tasmania into Australia’s exclusive economic zone. It said the ships are now moving west.
The Navy said it would be continuing to monitor the ships in “close coordination with the Australian Defence Force” using Anzac-class frigate the HMNZS Te Kaha and maritime sustainment vessel the HMNZS Aotearoa.
Yesterday, the NZDF said the ships were 218 nautical miles east of Hobart, Tasmania. They were previously off the coast of Sydney.
RNZ reported the fleet consists of the Jiangkai-class frigate the Hengyang, the Renhai-class cruiser the Zunyi and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel the Weishanhu.
On Tuesday, NZDF officials confirmed the PLA-N flotilla had re-entered Australia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where it was being closely tracked as it operated around 160 nautical miles east of Hobart, RNZ reported.
A military figure, not authorised to speak publicly, told the ABC there was a “working assumption” that a taskforce comprising three warships so far from the Chinese mainland could have submarine support for at least part of the deployment.
The Chinese task group as seen from HMNZS Te Kaha and Seasprite helicopter. Photo / NZDF
Other navies that boasted nuclear-powered submarines, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, were known to regularly use them during lengthy and complex warship missions to gather valuable intelligence on potential adversaries.
Defence Minister Judith Collins said the Government didn’t know if they intended to come closer to New Zealand.
Collins said she didn’t think New Zealand had seen a live military exercise in the Tasman Sea that had affected flights.
On Friday, she vented frustration at the Chinese Government for not informing New Zealand it would be sending a “highly capable” strike force with “enormous strike power” down the east coast of Australia.
Collins said the Chinese Government and Chinese Embassy had given New Zealand no notice it would be sending the strike force into the region.
“They have not deigned to advise us on what they are doing in the middle of the Tasman Sea,” she said.
China’s Defence Ministry hit back on Sunday, saying the “relevant remarks of the Australian side are completely inconsistent with facts”, while confirming the use of live ammunition.
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
