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Letters | Why China conducted naval drills in waters between Australia and New Zealand
Readers discuss Beijing’s maritime strategy, the US’ global influence, and the rise of China’s creative industry
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China recently conducted live-fire military drills in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that these drills, which led to the diversion of 49 commercial flights, were carried out without sufficient prior notification.
China’s Type 055 destroyer, one of the most advanced warships in its navy, was reportedly part of the exercise. What was China hoping to achieve with the drills?
Since Xi Jinping became China’s president in 2013 and his announcement of plans for a Maritime Silk Road, the country has been strengthening its naval power. The US’ island chain strategy – introduced by former US secretary of state John Foster Dulles during the Cold War – is an obstacle to this. These islands serve as platforms for hostile forces against China.
The first island chain extends from the Kuril Islands to Borneo, serving as a defensive line. The second island chain stretches from the Bonin Islands to Western New Guinea, where the US maintains influence through Compact of Free Association agreements.
The third island chain runs from the Aleutian Islands to New Zealand, with the New Zealand-Tonga-Hawaii axis playing a key strategic role, especially given China’s investments in Tonga.
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