AUKUS Forum : Chinese navy’s live weapons exercise – a stunning surprise off the Australian coast.

The Australian government has lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing after commercial flights were forced to change course at short notice to avoid a live weapons drill by Chinese warships. This is a direct challenge to regional security. Conducted just 340 nautical miles off the Australian coast, the exercise disrupted civilian air traffic and forced commercial flights to reroute, highlighting serious risks for Australia.

Australia’s protest to Beijing followed another by Canberra over an incident last week in which a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares in front of a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft endangering up to a dozen Australian crew. Chinese military commentators told Beijing’s state-owned Global Times that Australians and New Zealanders should get used to more frequent PLA exercises in their near neighbourhood.

“The PLA Navy is expected to host more such far seas voyages,” said Zhang Junshe. “Some countries are used to the US Navy’s frequent voyages but have not yet adapted to seeing the PLA Navy’s normal voyages.” This is a clear escalation—one that demands firm and strategic action from Australia and its allies.

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