Chinese Warships Sail Off Coast of Sydney, Testing Australia
- Three vessels have been spotted off Australia’s east coast
- Defense minister says transit by Chinese warships is ‘unusual’
In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Ministry on Feb. 11, the Chinese Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang transits the waters northeast of Australia.
Source: Royal Australian NavyThis article is for subscribers only.
Three Chinese warships have been spotted in international waters off the coast of Australia’s largest city, Sydney, in a rare show of military might that will likely test diplomatic ties between Canberra and Beijing.
The People’s Liberation Navy’s Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class guided-missile cruiser Zunyi and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu are currently operating off the east coast of Australia, the Department of Defence in Canberra said in an emailed statement late Wednesday.