Australia has deployed its warship, HMAS Sydney, to the South China Sea as part of a three-month Indo-Pacific mission, further escalating tensions in the region. This move follows a series of provocative actions, including China’s naval circumnavigation of Australia earlier this year and a recent unsafe interception of an Australian patrol aircraft by Chinese fighter jets. The Australian Defense Department maintains that its operations align with international law and uphold the principles of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The deployment comes after Australia’s participation in joint military drills with the U.S. and the Philippines, signaling a strong commitment to regional security.
