Australia

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According to official information released by various governments, as well as commercial satellite imagery, there were at least seven groups of Chinese warships operating across the western Pacific at the beginning of the week.

Last week Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed Australia was tracking several Chinese warships in the Philippines Sea, but the Government has not released any further information about their movements since.

On Sunday another PLA-Navy Task Group, which is currently on a far-sea comprehensive training mission, arrived in Jakarta to begin a four-day “friendly” visit to Indonesia.

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This week New Zealand revealed that its largest naval ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, was closely shadowed by seven Chinese warships while helping enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea in the East China and Yellow Seas last month.

New Zealand’s defence force said the warships kept a “safe and professional distance” from its replenishment vessel as it operated alongside ships from Canada, France, and Japan.

The same naval vessel also encountered a Taiwanese warship as it sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait during November.

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Last week Defence Chief David Johnston confirmed an Australian P-8 surveillance plane had observed the Chinese task group operating in the Philippine Sea, approximately 500 nautical miles north of Palau.

“I have previously stated that we have seen a greater PLA Navy presence in our immediate region in recent years, and we do expect to see future PLA in extended area deployments,” Admiral Johnston told a senate estimates hearing in Canberra.