DEFENCE CONNECT: Robert Dougherty – A People’s Liberation Army Navy task group is operating within 150 nautical miles (240 kilometers) of the coast of Sydney. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles confirmed that this operation is “an unusual event”. “We are keeping close watch on them and we will be making sure that we watch every move. And whenever this mission is over on the part of the Chinese task group, we will assess everything we have seen to make a proper assessment of exactly what they were trying to achieve through this mission,” he said, speaking to Sky News on 20 February.

“They’re not doing anything that is contrary to international law. As we have surveilled them from the moment that they came close to Australia; they have been abiding by international law.

“But there is no doubt that this is, although not unprecedented, an unusual event. And just as they have a right to be in international waters, which is what they are doing, we have a right to be prudent and to make sure that we are surveilling them, which is what we are doing. So, you know, early on here I instructed that we needed to have assets, our own frigates and air assets, making sure that we are watching every move that they take. They’re not a threat in the sense that they are engaging in accordance with international law. But it is important that we understand exactly what is happening here and we will make sure that we look at every move they make to have a very clear assessment of what this, on the part of the Chinese, is seeking to achieve.”

People’s Liberation Army Navy Jiangkai Class frigate Hengyang. Photo: ADF