Australia and New Zealand are monitoring Chinese naval ships in the Tasman Sea, raising concerns due to their unusually southern location. The Chinese task group's mission remains undisclosed, prompting close surveillance.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australian ships and aircraft are working "very closely" with New Zealand's military to monitor a Chinese naval task force transiting south off the east coast of Australia, with the opposition labelling Beijing's behaviour "provocative."

Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie labelled the flotilla’s behaviour “provocative”, asking: “What is the government doing about these warships?”

Australian Minister for Defense Richard Marles labels it an “unusual event” as Chinese military ships traverse waters off Australia's coast. (Credit: Sky News)

The Australian and New Zealand militaries are monitoring three Chinese warships that are moving unusually far south along Australia’s east coast on an unknown mission

Australian officials said the ships were "off the east coast of Australia" and their presence there was unusual.

Australia and New Zealand are working together to monitor a Chinese naval task group which has been labelled a "wake-up call" by senior officials.

Australian ships and aircraft are working with New Zealand’s military to monitor three Chinese warships which have sailed past Sydney towards the Tasmanian Sea. It comes as Australia begins negotiations with Papua New Guinea on a landmark new defence treaty.

Australia is “keeping close watch on” Chinese military ships traversing waters off its coast, Richard Marles, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, noted

Australia and New Zealand are monitoring a group of Chinese naval vessels spotted in international waters near Sydney, the countries’ defence ministers said on Thursday. Three Chinese vessels are traveling down the eastern coast of Australia,