Chinese warships were discovered just 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, marking the furthest south Beijing's navy has ever ventured along Australia's eastern coastline.
China has made significant military moves in the Pacific, with warships sailing close to Australia and a navy helicopter flying dangerously near a Philippine coastguard plane. The warships were spotted 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, marking the furthest south China's navy has ventured along Australia's eastern coast. Australia has deployed two vessels to monitor the fleet, which includes a frigate and cruiser. A defense expert called the move "unprecedented," noting China's expanding military reach in the Pacific. Meanwhile, a Chinese navy helicopter flew within 10 feet of a Philippine coastguard plane over the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, described as "extremely dangerous" by Philippine officials. The Philippines has vowed to file a diplomatic protest, and the US has condemned the incident. China claims the actions were legal, while the Philippines and the US urge peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.
