Overview

• Three Chinese warships conducted live-fire exercises in international waters near Australia, a move within international law but sparking varied reactions from political and defense leaders.
• Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized the legality of the exercises and noted that Australian naval operations near China occur with greater frequency.
• The Coalition has used the incident to criticize Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accusing his government of being ill-prepared and weak on national security issues.
• Labor, in response, highlighted its efforts to stabilize Australia-China relations, including the resumption of key exports and improved ties with Chinese-Australian communities.
• Experts and commentators have pointed out that such naval activities are likely to become more common, reflecting China's growing maritime capabilities and the need for Australia to bolster its defense investments.