People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang. Photo: Department of Defence.
A flotilla of three Chinese warships passed the South Coast last weekend as it continued to circle the continent.
While many passenger aircraft cross the coast near Esperance while travelling between Perth and southeastern Australia, an Airservices Australia spokesperson said there had been no further disruption to aviation.
According to the Department of Defence, People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Task Group 107 comprised the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.
The ships appear to have passed Esperance on Friday night or Saturday morning, at a distance of about 100-150km from the coast.
This is well beyond Australia’s territorial waters, which extend only 12 nautical miles (22.2 km).
