Part 9/14:
China's military presence closely monitors these exercises, with Chinese spy ships shadowing the drills from international waters, a sign of Beijing’s strategic interest in the region. The timing coincides with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's diplomatic visit to China, aimed at easing trade tensions—a delicate moment that underscores the dual approach of diplomacy and military preparedness.
For U.S. officials, these drills are unmistakably a message to Beijing: any aggressive moves in the region, particularly over Taiwan, will meet coordinated resistance.