New Zealand criticizes China over naval drills in Tasman Sea

New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins has raised concerns over China’s naval task group conducting military exercises in the Tasman Sea, warning that one of the warships is carrying ballistic missiles with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers.

Collins alerted Australia about the presence of these heavily armed Chinese vessels near the region, calling them “extremely capable” and emphasizing the need for New Zealand to strengthen its defense capabilities in response to growing strategic tensions.

Her remarks came after China’s Ministry of Defence accused Australia and New Zealand of exaggerating the situation following the diversion of three flights due to Beijing’s live-fire drills.

Collins criticized China for failing to provide sufficient advance notice, stating that best practices suggest a 12- to 24-hour alert before military exercises. The Chinese flotilla, consisting of the naval frigate Hengyang, the cruiser Zunyi, and the replenishment vessel Weishanhu, carried out the drills without clear communication regarding their movements near New Zealand.

“They’re not telling us what they’re planning, but I can confirm that the ships are currently around 280 nautical miles east of Tasmania,” Collins said. “Their formation has slightly changed, but we are closely monitoring their activities, with Te Kaha (a New Zealand naval ship) actively tracking the situation.”

She linked China’s increased military activity in the region to its recent agreement with the Cook Islands, which allows Beijing access to the Pacific nation’s seabed minerals—an arrangement she called “unusual.”

Collins also pointed out that while New Zealand has sent ships through the Taiwan Strait, it has never conducted live-fire drills in the disputed waters between Taiwan and China, further condemning Beijing’s military maneuvers near its territory.