The presence of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea, a relatively rare occurrence, has raised eyebrows in Australia and New Zealand. While Beijing maintains that the naval exercise aligns with international law, its strategic implications cannot be ignored. This event is not merely about routine military drills ~ it is a calculated signal, testing regional responses and asserting influence in an area where China has historically had little direct presence.

China’s navy has been steadily expanding its reach, moving beyond the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific into waters that were once dominated by Western allies. The Tasman Sea, a crucial maritime corridor between Australia and New Zealand, has traditionally remained under the security umbrella of these two nations, with minimal outside military activity. China’s decision to conduct exercises here is significant because it challenges the long-standing status quo. The fact that the Chinese fleet included a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply........

© The Statesman