Australian and New Zealand militaries are keeping a close watch on three Chinese warships traveling unexpectedly off Australia’s east coast. While authorities assert the ships comply with international law, their presence poses questions about their mission and intentions. The Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles labeled the event as unusual but not unprecedented, highlighting collaborative monitoring with New Zealand. This development comes amidst heightened military tensions between Australia and China following recent aerial encounters, sparking discussions about China’s naval power projection in the region.