Australia's intelligence chief calls Chinese warship deployment provocative

Australia's intelligence chief has stated that China's recent deployment of three warships to the Tasman Sea appears "designed to be provocative." This follows unprecedented live-fire exercises, indicating China's growing military capabilities in the region. The Chinese naval task group has re-entered Australia's exclusive economic zone, operating about 160 nautical miles east of Hobart. There are indications that a nuclear-powered submarine may have supported the flotilla during its deployment. Commercial airline pilots reported monitoring communications from the Chinese warships warning of live-firing activities, which led to nearly 50 flight diversions. Aviation officials were first alerted to the exercises through emergency radio messages from pilots.