On March 12, 2025, the Chinese Navy has been making waves—quite literally—around the coasts of Australia for over three weeks, stirring alarm among both Australian and New Zealand officials. Having passed within 200 miles of Sydney, these naval maneuvers included live-fire exercises near New Zealand, marking an unprecedented display of military might beyond China’s traditional waters.
Reports from the New York Times indicate the Chinese fleet comprises three vessels: the destroyer CNS Zunyi, the frigate CNS Hengyang, and the supply ship CNS Weishanhu. This flotilla has been traversing around Australia, entering and exiting its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) consistently for approximately one month. Such actions have compelled some civil flights to alter their routes, reflecting the significant presence of Chinese naval forces.
Details of the fleet's maneuvers became clearer when the vessels were last spotted on March 9, 2025, passing through the Sunda Strait, which is known as a strategic maritime route due to its narrow pathway between Indonesia and Sumatra. Footage shared on social media showed the Zunyi requesting priority passage, underscoring the increasing activity and influence of naval operations within these waters.
The situation has raised eyebrows within the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), which has voiced concerns about the overwhelming firepower of the Chinese fleet compared to its own naval capabilities. Notably, the two Chinese warships possess 144 vertical launch cells—capable of deploying missiles—whereas the entire Australian Navy, comprising ten vessels, holds only 200 cells overall. This disparity poses significant questions about Australia’s readiness to handle potential threats.
Chris Kenny of Sky News commented on the situation, noting, "On national security, we should never forget the experience of the past few weeks with those Chinese navy vessels snooping around Australia and what it says about our vulnerability and our political and diplomatic weakness." The visible encirclement of Australia by the Chinese vessels suggests not only physical posturing but also psychological warfare, as these maneuvers are perceived as efforts to test Australia's defenses.
The Newsweek magazine echoed Kenny’s sentiments by compiling detailed maps showing how the Chinese fleet circumnavigated the Australian continent before returning toward Chinese waters. Their graphic depiction emphasizes the strategic intent behind these naval activities, reinforcing concerns among defense analysts about the nature of China's ambitions within the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Past naval sightings of Chinese vessels near Australia’s Christmas Island, located about 217 miles south of Indonesia, indicate a strategic attempt at bolstering Beijing's influence in the region. These movements have not just been routine drills; they signify engagement strategies intended for regional power projection, especially as China advances its maritime initiatives.
Despite their concerns, Australia heavily depends on the United States for technological and logistical support, which has created additional layers of complexity within the defense framework. The weakness of Australia’s standing naval fleet, compounded by the issuance of two Australian fuel tankers currently out of service, critically limits the nation’s ability to project its naval capabilities effectively over long distances.
Observers and military experts are increasingly vocal about the need for Australia to modernize its naval fleet and defend its strategic interests more aggressively. With international tensions heightening and China's naval presence extending rapidly, questions surrounding national security are at the forefront of political dialogues.
For now, the Australian government has not provided a formal explanation for the recent military exercises, nor have any prior diplomatic notifications been confirmed. The lack of clarity from Beijing on this front exacerbates tensions, leading to speculation about possible motivations behind such military displays.
The dynamic nature of global naval power has been irrevocably altered by these encounters, and for Australia, vigilance will be key. With China asserting its capabilities around Australia, the call for strategic defense revitalization grows louder. Political leaders and defense strategists alike are now confronted with the undeniable reality: as Australia faces the might of the Chinese navy, adapting to this new strategic climate may prove to be both imperative and challenging.
It remains to be seen how these maritime developments will influence Australia's future defense policies and regional relations. For both Australia and its allies, addressing these challenges head-on is not merely preferable—it is increasingly necessary to safeguard national interests.