Recent naval exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in the Tasman Sea have elicited apprehension from New Zealand and Australia, marking an unprecedented display of military capability in the region. The live-fire drills, executed over the past weekend, involved a naval formation equipped with advanced weaponry, leading to mid-flight diversions for commercial aircraft and prompting diplomatic exchanges between the nations involved.
Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, expressed notable concern over the scale and nature of the PLA Navy’s activities. She highlighted the unique character of the deployment, stating that such a powerful naval task group had not been previously observed conducting similar operations in those waters. Collins talked about how advanced the ships’ weapons were, especially the cruiser, which has powerful offensive weapons like long-range ballistic missiles that can destroy ships.
The naval group, comprising a frigate, a cruiser, and a replenishment vessel, had been tracked by the Australian Defence Force as it navigated the Australian coastline since mid-February. The Type 055 destroyer, Zunyi, which can launch ballistic and reportedly hypersonic missiles, has been a focal point of concern. Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, characterized the deployment as highly unusual, noting the vessel’s advanced capabilities and its location so far south in the Tasman Sea.
The PLA Navy’s activities are perceived as a component of its strategic shift from regional to global maritime operations. Chinese state media commentary has suggested that Western nations should adapt to the increasing frequency of such military exercises in international waters. Song Zhongping, a military affairs expert, indicated that the PLA Navy intends to expand its operational scope beyond China’s coastal regions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that the drills were conducted within the parameters of international law but expressed a desire for greater advance notification. Foreign Minister Penny Wong engaged in diplomatic discussions with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, seeking clarification on the exercises. In response, China’s Ministry of Defense criticized Australia for what it deemed “hyping up” the drills and making “unreasonable accusations.” A ministry spokesperson asserted that safety notices were issued and that the exercises complied with international law.
However, Minister Collins disputed the adequacy of the warning, asserting that the notice provided to civil aviation was insufficient. She emphasized the importance of timely notification to prevent disruptions to air traffic. The New Zealand Navy is maintaining close surveillance of the PLA Navy’s vessels, which have shifted their formation and are currently located east of Tasmania.
The PLA Navy’s expansion, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, has resulted in the world’s largest naval fleet. The navy’s operational reach has extended beyond regional waters, with increased activity in open oceans. The PLA Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean, initiated through counter-piracy missions, and its subsequent deployments in the Bering Sea and the South Pacific, demonstrate its growing global maritime ambitions.
The recent live-fire drills in the South Pacific are viewed as a further step in the PLA Navy’s progression towards becoming a blue-water navy. The exercises reflect the navy’s increasing operational confidence and its willingness to project military power in the region. Despite concerns raised by Australia and New Zealand, the PLA Navy’s trajectory indicates a continued expansion of its global maritime presence.
