Australia and New Zealand Monitor Chinese Warships

Australian and New Zealand forces are monitoring three Chinese warships that have approached Australia. According to the Associated Press on February 20, Australian and New Zealand forces detected three Chinese warships unusually heading south along Australia's eastern coast. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said these ships include the destroyer Xianyang and the Zhunyii maritime patrol vessel.

Reports confirmed that the Chinese vessels are in Australian sovereign territorial waters. Marles indicated that while this is not unprecedented, it is indeed unusual.

It appears this Chinese movement coincided with the visit of a U.S. military commander, suggesting China may be demonstrating its naval power. Although Australia and New Zealand are closely monitoring the situation, they have not yet received any information from China about this mission or future plans.