Australia is “keeping close watch on” Chinese military ships traversing waters off its coast, Richard Marles, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, noted

Australian officials said the ships were “off the east coast of Australia” and their presence there was unusual.

The Australian and New Zealand militaries are monitoring three Chinese warships that are moving unusually far south along Australia’s east coast on an unknown mission

Australia says it detected no live firing from Chinese naval ships off its east coast, despite the vessels broadcasting a warning that forced commercial flights to detour. The Chinese ships broadcast a verbal live fire warning Friday that was picked up by commercial planes over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand,