NYT: Chinese fleet encircles Australia for nearly a month of drills

Chinese ships conducted naval exercises around Australia for nearly a month, with the Chinese fleet making an “unannounced voyage” along the continent’s perimeter, The New York Times reports.

The vessels entered and exited Australia’s exclusive economic zone, carrying out live-fire drills near commercial airspace, causing dozens of civilian flights to alter their routes.

Last weekend, the Chinese ships finally headed north toward Indonesia as Australian officials reassured the public that the presence and actions of the Chinese ships did not violate international law.

“But the voyage was the farthest south the Chinese military had ever come, and was deeply uncomfortable for Australia,” the text reads.

Beijing’s actions have prompted Australia to “take a hard look at its own aging fleet,” its significant military reliance on the distant U.S. ally, and China’s growing capabilities as Australia’s largest trading partner.

“The firestorm the flotilla ignited in Australia is an indication of how China could take advantage of a moment when the staunchest of American allies are being forced to revisit longstanding assumptions about ties to Washington,” writes NYT.

The timing of the exercises and the message China was trying to send caught Canberra’s attention. The ships arrived just as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump began questioning traditional support for allies, including those in Europe and Asia.