Chinese Warship Exercises in Tasman Sea Spark Regional Alarm

During a recent exercise in the Tasman Sea, a Chinese naval cruiser discharged live ammunition as part of a task force drill. The incident, which took place on February 22, was the second such exercise in two days conducted in international waters, despite objections from both the Australian and New Zealand governments regarding insufficient warning.

Officials in New Zealand reported that personnel aboard a naval frigate witnessed the firing of live rounds from the cruiser’s primary artillery, an act consistent with expected military drills. The Chinese task group had communicated its intended live-firing operations via radio channels before carrying out the exercise to ensure that nearby aircraft received necessary notifications.

In Australia, government representatives criticized Beijing for what they described as a “disconcerting” live-fire warning that forced commercial flights to alter their course. While acknowledging that the Chinese actions were in accordance with international law, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stressed that the practice of providing notice 12-24 hours in advance was not observed, an issue that had been formally raised with Beijing.

The situation is part of a broader pattern of military interactions that have heightened regional tensions. Recent incidents, including near-misses involving Chinese aircraft and military vessels interacting with Australian forces, have underscored ongoing disputes over freedom of navigation in key international waterways, such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.