Australia monitors Chinese naval task group near its east coast

Australia has sent warships to monitor a Chinese naval task group off its east coast, marking the furthest Chinese ships have sailed in this area. The flotilla includes two warships and a supply ship, reported to be 150 nautical miles from Sydney. This development follows a recent defense meeting between Australia and China. The Australian military emphasized the importance of international maritime law, while the U.S. military highlighted the U.S.-Australian alliance as vital for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Chinese navy's presence in the Coral Sea comes amid its expanding global reach. A second Chinese flotilla, consisting of seven vessels, has also been reported operating in the Western Pacific.