Australia monitors Chinese military ships near east coast as tensions rise

Three Chinese military ships have been spotted 150 nautical miles from Sydney, moving down Australia's east coast. The Australian Defence Force is monitoring their activities, describing the situation as unusual but not a direct threat, as the ships remain outside territorial waters. Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie criticized the government for its response, calling the Chinese presence provocative. Some officials argue that Australia conducts similar operations abroad, making it hypocritical to complain about the Chinese ships. Experts suggest that this presence signals a growing Chinese military reach in the region. They warn that such encounters may become more common, reflecting China's intent to establish a security presence near Australia.