How Chinese PLA’s latest forays off Australia cap years of maritime tensions

China’s recent live-fire naval drills in the Tasman Sea off southeastern Australia highlighted continued tensions between the major Indo-Pacific powers, particularly in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

China’s vast territorial claims over most of the South China Sea are contested by several Southeast Asian neighbours, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

The Taiwan Strait represents an even more critical issue for Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary and regards any transit by foreign vessels as a challenge to its sovereignty.

The United States – Taiwan’s main international backer and arms supplier – has been most active in asserting “freedom of navigation” rights in the strait, with its allies including Australia, Germany and Canada also doing the same in recent years.

Most nations, including Australia and the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

Australia does not have any territorial disputes with China, but its expanding naval and air presence in the region is seen to underscore its commitment to freedom of navigation and Indo-Pacific security as the West tries to counter China’s influence.