Chinese warships detected 150 nautical miles from Sydney coast

The Australian Defence Force is keeping three Chinese warships spotted 150 nautical miles from Sydney under close surveillance.

The vessels were first detected in international waters off north-east Queensland last week and have been sailing steadily down the coast in recent days.

"Defence is monitoring the People's Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser named Zunyi and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, which continue to operate to the east of Australia," an ADF spokesperson said today.

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Defence routinely monitors all maritime traffic in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and maritime approaches.

"Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace, under international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea."

The UK Financial Times reported the warships had sailed as near as 150 nautical miles (276km) from the coast of Sydney.

The newspaper said Royal Australian Navy vessels were monitoring the Chinese flotilla.

It's believed this is the furthest south China's navy has travelled down the east coast outside of an official military visit to Australia.

Defence Minister Richard Marles told the ABC last week the ADF was closely monitoring the ships.

"I've instructed that Navy and Air Force assets be deployed to make sure that we are watching exactly what the task group is doing.

"We'll do that in a manner that is safe and professional. That's very much our right."

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