Three Chinese warships have arrived in Sydney Harbour amid increasingly strident rhetoric from Beijing over its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
A People’s Liberation Army-Navy frigate, an auxiliary replenishment ship and an amphibious vessel are docking at Garden Island for a four-day stopover.
The arrival, which was not publicly announced by the Australian Government, came just hours after Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe struck an uncompromising tone on Taiwan and the South China Sea during a speech in Singapore.
Chinese Navy personnel are seen onboard a Chinese Navel ship after it arrives at Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney.
“The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has no intention to cause anyone trouble but is not afraid to face up to troubles,” the General told the Shangri La Dialogue forum.
“Should anyone risk crossing the bottom line, the PLA will resolutely take action and defeat all enemies.”
Last week, the ABC revealed Chinese warships had recently followed the Australian Navy during a transit of the South China Sea.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the arrival of the warships in Sydney had been planned for some time.
Chinese Navy personnel are seen onboard a Chinese Navel ship after it arrives at Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney.
He said it was a “reciprocal visit” as Australian naval vessels had visited China.
“It may have been a surprise to others but it certainly wasn’t a surprise to the Government,” he said.
“[The Chinese vessels] were returning from counter-drug-trafficking operations in the Middle East and that is a further demonstration of the relationship we have.”