Chinese warships pass major naval base on WA coast

A flotilla composed of Chinese naval vessels has departed from Perth and is currently located off the northwest coast of Western Australia. The flotilla passed the HMAS Stirling naval base on Garden Island, near Rockingham, yesterday.

Previously, the flotilla conducted live-fire exercises in waters near New South Wales, Australia, sparking disputes with China and heated domestic political debate. These vessels are now continuing their circumnavigation of Australia.

Australian authorities are closely monitoring the warships' navigation in international waters. The Australian Department of Defence stated today that the People's Liberation Army Navy Task Group 107 – consisting of a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply ship – is operating 300 nautical miles (556 kilometers) northwest of Perth.

“Defence will continue to monitor the task group’s activities while it remains in the vicinity of Australia’s maritime approaches,” the Department of Defence said in a statement. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles stated this morning during an interview on the "Today" program that the Australian Defence Force, in cooperation with the New Zealand military, has done an "excellent job" in tracking these vessels.

Royal Australian Navy ships – HMAS Warramunga, HMAS Stuart, and HMAS Toowoomba – are tracking the task group. “We will continue to monitor the task group closely, as we have done since the moment the task group entered Australia’s maritime approaches,” Marles said.