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 and New Zealand are monitoring Chinese naval ships in the Tasman Sea, raising concerns due to their unusually southern location. The Chinese task group's mission remains undisclosed, prompting close surveillance.

Chinese warships docked at Sydney Harbor in 2019, in what the prime minister at the time called a 'reciprocal visit' after Australian navy ships had visited Chinese ports. This time, Australian officials said they were in the dark about where the ships were headed and what their objective was.

Three Chinese navy ships have charted a course along Australia’s eastern coast in a move described as ‘unusual’.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australian ships and aircraft are working "very closely" with New Zealand's military to monitor a Chinese naval task force transiting south off the east coast of Australia, with the opposition labelling Beijing's behaviour "provocative."

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

Australia and New Zealand are monitoring a group of Chinese naval vessels spotted in international waters near Sydney, the countries’ defence ministers said on Thursday. Three Chinese vessels are traveling down the eastern coast of Australia,