China Signals New Era of Sea Power in the Southwest Pacific – The Diplomat

Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Naval Task Group 107 conducted unannounced live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, disrupting air traffic and signaling China’s ability to disrupt sea and air links between Australia and New Zealand. The exercises were part of China’s efforts to assert dominance in the Southwest Pacific and challenge the existing strategic setup, with Xi Jinping authorizing the deployment as a step towards “normalization” of PLA forces in the region. The naval task force’s trajectory towards New Zealand’s EEZ and eventual return to China via Australia’s western flank represents a deliberate strategic move to challenge Australia’s security strategy and assert China’s presence in the region.

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