### Title: Rising Naval Tensions: China's Strategic Manoeuvre Around Australia

### Summary: The deployment of Chinese warships near Australian waters has sparked national dialogue about the country's naval capabilities and alliances, particularly with the U.S.

For nearly a month, Australian defense forces were on high alert as a contingent of Chinese warships made an unexpected voyage around the continent. The fleet, comprising a cruiser, a frigate, and a replenishment tanker, navigated through Australia's exclusive economic zone, disrupting local air traffic by firing live rounds in the vicinity of civilian airports. The ships approached within 170 nautical miles of Perth, Western Australia, shortly after a U.S. nuclear submarine docked nearby.

Despite official reassurances from Australian authorities asserting that the Chinese vessels were operating within international law, their presence represented the southernmost advance of the Chinese military and was a considerable source of discomfort for Australia. This development prompted a deeper evaluation of Australia’s aging naval fleet, its reliance on the United States for military support, and the increasingly assertive stance of its largest trading partner, China.

Analysts note that while the Chinese naval deployment lacked immediate strategic significance, it underscored alarming deficiencies within the Australian military. Experts indicate that the Royal Australian Navy currently ranks as the smallest and oldest it has been since WWII, with only two operational tankers—absent for repairs for an extended period—contrasted starkly against the Chinese vessels that boasted advanced missile capabilities. The warships' combined 144 vertical launch missile cells further highlighted the disparity, showing the pressing need for Australia to address its naval readiness amidst rising regional tensions.