Chinese warships re-enter Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Department of Defence says | USAEMALL.com

Three Chinese warships have re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone after recently completing live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) frigates and replenishment vessel have been tracked about 296km east of Hobart, Defence said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Task Group 107 re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the early hours of this morning,” it said.

The department confirmed it was working with the New Zealand Defence Force in tracking the task group while it remained within Australia’s maritime borders.

“PLA-N Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, is operating approximately 160 nautical miles (296 kilometres) east of Hobart,” it said.

“Australia expects all militaries operating in the region to engage transparently, maintain the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and we encourage all states to maintain open communication to ensure their actions support regional security and stability.

”We respect the right of all states under international law to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace, just as we expect others to respect our right to do the same.”

The government has formally protested the live military drills that occurred outside Australia’s economic zone, Anthony Albanese said on Monday.

“So we put in an official protest, if you like, that more notice should have been given if this activity was to occur,” the Prime Minister said.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday that Chinese authorities had not given a “satisfactory” explanation for live-fire drills conducted in the zone, the first of which forced 49 commercial flights to alter their courses at short notice.

In a statement, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian challenged the Australian government’s version of events, saying it had issued repeated safety notices.

“China’s actions are in full compliance with international law and international practices and will not affect aviation flight safety,” Mr Wu said.

“Australia, knowing this well, made unreasonable accusations against China and deliberately hyped it up. We are deeply surprised and strongly dissatisfied with this.”

Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone is a maritime boundary established in 1994 that gives the nation sovereign rights within 12 to 200 nautical miles of the coastline.

Aviation officials first learnt of the live military exercises after a Virgin Australia pilot overheard chatter from the ships while flying nearby and alerted Airservices Australia on Friday.