Canberra: The Chinese navy conducted live-fire exercises last Friday and Saturday in international waters between Australia and New Zealand — a move described by Australian officials as unprecedented. The drills disrupted air traffic, prompting the rerouting of 49 commercial flights for safety reasons.
The drills were conducted by three Chinese vessels — a frigate, a cruiser, and a refueling ship — participating in the exercises.
A U.S. Coast Guard vessel operating in the Tasman Sea as part of a joint maritime security initiative with Australia and New Zealand was aware of the presence of Chinese naval ships but did not engage with them, according to the ship’s commanding officer.
Captain Matthew Rooney, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s national security cutter Midgett, which docked in Sydney on Saturday after a visit to New Zealand, confirmed awareness of the Chinese fleet’s presence. “It did not impact our operations,” Rooney told reporters, emphasizing that both sides adhere to international maritime norms and safety regulations.
Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, noted the significance of China’s naval activity this far south, suggesting it demonstrates Beijing’s ability to project military power without establishing a base in the South Pacific. “This is clearly a test of the diplomatic resolve of Australia, New Zealand, and their key security partner, the United States,” Graham added.
China’s foreign ministry defended the exercises, asserting they complied with international laws and safety standards.
The U.S. Coast Guard has ramped up its presence in the South Pacific since 2024, focusing on curbing illegal fishing — a practice often linked to distant-water fleets, including China’s — at the invitation of Pacific Island nations. Meanwhile, China registered several coast guard vessels for fisheries patrols in the Pacific Islands for the first time this year, though none have been deployed yet.
Captain Rebecca Levitt, commanding officer of the Australian naval base HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, highlighted the importance of U.S.-Australia cooperation in safeguarding regional stability. “We have a vast ocean area to protect, and we can’t do that without the United States,” she said.
Following its stop in Sydney, the Midgett is set to travel to Papua New Guinea for an operation targeting illegal fishing activities.
