One of the Chinese ships in the task group, the frigate Hengyang. Photo: Department of Defence
A Chinese naval task group that held live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea and caused flights to divert is now reportedly holding position off Tasmania.
Their location was revealed by NZ Defence Minister Judith Collins, who said that the three Chinese naval ships were 280 nautical miles (518km) east of the Tasmania in international waters as of Monday (February 24).
A NZ frigate, the Te Kaha, and air force aircraft are helping Australian forces monitor the ships; a Kiwi tanker vessel, the Aotearoa, is in the Bass Strait to supply Australian and New Zealand ships.
The Chinese ships have been identified as the frigate Hengyang, the cruiser Zunyi and supply vessel Weishanhu.
On Friday, one of the ships alerted authorities of their intention to conduct a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea. The short notice prompted Airservices Australia to divert Emirates, Qantas, Virgin and Air NZ flights.
The NZ Defence Force said that on Saturday afternoon, the task group issued another warning; crew onboard the Te Kaha, which was shadowing the ships, watched the Zunyi fire its main gun.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed in Devonport that the incident had been raised by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong with her Chinese counterpart at a G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in South Africa.
“We believe it would be appropriate to have been given more warning of this event taking place. I can confirm that there has been no danger to Australian assets,” he said.
He says the drills were held outside Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, in open waters and were legal.
He has been liaising with NZ PM Christopher Luxon while the two defence ministers have been in contact with each other as well.
Albanese also dismisses any talk of sanctions against their largest trading partner, pointing out that Australia does the same thing in the South China Sea.
The Chinese ships have been monitored constantly since they first entered Australian waters more than a week ago as they sailed south.
