By Ryan ChanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberChina continues to flex its fast-growing sea power, as a Newsweek map tracks at least four groups of Chinese naval vessels operating across the Indo-Pacific in recent days.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why It Matters
The expansion of Chinese naval presence—in addition to civilian research vessels with dual purposes—in the Indian and Pacific Oceans raises concerns among United States' allies and partners, as they worry China could seek to alter the status quo unilaterally by force.
In its report on Chinese military power last year, the Pentagon discussed China's naval power-projection capability, noting that Beijing is expanding its logistical infrastructure to support long-distance naval operations, including bases in Cambodia and Djibouti.
What To Know
China operates the world's largest navy by number of vessels, with more than 370 ships and submarines in service, including three aircraft carriers, allowing Beijing to expand its military reach beyond East Asia and advance its national interests and influence.
A four-ship Chinese naval task group, led by an amphibious assault ship, was tracked in the Philippine Sea as of Tuesday. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the military is monitoring the flotilla as satellite imagery suggests it is transiting southeast.
The Chinese military has yet to confirm the presence of this group of vessels or its destination. If confirmed, this would mark the second time since March that China has deployed its navy in the South Pacific off the coast of Australia, a U.S. military ally.
Another two Chinese naval formations are operating in the South China Sea. One of them is the 47th Escort Task Group, which arrived at Singapore's Port Changi on Monday for a four-day technical stopover, the Chinese navy said the following day.
The Chinese escort task group, consisting of a destroyer, a frigate and a supply ship, has been deployed for almost a year since departing China on December 15, 2024. The group was tasked with protecting shipping lanes from piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
Meanwhile, a Chinese training flotilla, designated the 989 Task Group, arrived at Malaysia's Port Klang on Saturday for a four-day visit. It was led by the amphibious dock landing ship CNS Changbaishan—hull number 989—and two training ships.
...According to a previous announcement, the task group will visit Indonesia as its third and final scheduled stop during its oceangoing training that began in mid-November.
Moving farther west to the Middle East, the Chinese frigate CNS Daqing, part of the 48th Escort Task Group, docked at Oman's Port Sultan Qaboos—located across from Iran's southeastern coast—for maintenance and resupply between November 24 and 28.
The Daqing's escort mission in the Gulf of Aden "remains steadfastly dedicated to fostering a safer world—through cooperation, professionalism, and the commitment to apply its capabilities in the service of peace," the Chinese Embassy in Oman said.
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What People Are Saying
Richard Marles, Australian Minister for Defense, said: "We maintain constant maritime domain awareness in our geographic areas of interest—that's Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, the Northeast Indian Ocean, and the Pacific. And in that context, we will routinely monitor the movements of [People's Liberation Army Navy] vessels…particularly until we know that they are not coming in the vicinity of Australia."
The Pentagon's Chinese military power report 2024 read: "The [People's Liberation Army Navy] continues to develop into a global force, gradually extending its operational reach beyond East Asia into a sustained ability to operate at increasingly longer ranges, including a continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden."
What Happens Next
China is expected to maintain and broaden its naval presence farther from the country's coastline and immediate waters in East Asia. It remains to be seen how the U.S., along with its allies and partners, will counter China's growing military reach at sea.
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