Chinese Naval Drills Take the Pacific by Storm

February 24th, 2025

Ron Kim

Tensions have risen in the Pacific following two series of live-fire naval exercises conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which occurred in international waters between Australia and New Zealand. The second set of drills, which occurred on February 21 and took place approximately 340 nautical miles southeast of Sydney, have sparked diplomatic alarms and safety concerns from Australia and New Zealand.

The Chinese military’s decision to hold these exercises with very short notice has drawn heavy criticism from the global community. Although it is expected under the international system for nations to give warnings 12 to 24 hours prior to military tests, China provided only an abrupt injunction, leading to major disruptions in commercial flight paths and raising security concerns in the region.

Richard Marles, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, expressed disappointment about the short notice warning and described the situation as “disconcerting.” He elaborated that while the exercises took place in international waters and did not technically violate international law, China’s failure to provide adequate notice posed many safety risks to civilians and could have disrupted other military operations in the area.

However, Chinese military officials have defended their actions, claiming that they were routine drills intended to enhance operational readiness. China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated that all activities were conducted within international law and practices with the safety of the region in mind.

There is some truth in China’s statements. Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister for Defense conceded that “there is no ongoing danger to New Zealand.” Earlier on Friday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also claimed that there was no immediate risk. However, both nations remain alert.

There is a wide consensus that the primary purpose of these drills was to show off China’s naval prowess, so it’s not surprising that Australia, which has been strengthening its defense ties with the United States, was caught in the crossfire. While these tests have not strictly breached international law, the lack of transparency and the scale of the exercises have raised concerns about the future of the region. As tensions simmer, regional powers will need to navigate these developments carefully to maintain a balance between diplomatic engagement and national security interests.