War is Knocking on Australia’s Door! By James Reed
Recent movements of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships near an Australian base hosting a U.S. submarine, as reported by Zero Hedge on March 8, 2025, could signal that China is actively preparing for war. The deployment of a sophisticated flotilla—led by the cutting-edge Type 055 destroyer Zunyi, alongside a Type 052D destroyer and a supply ship—on an unprecedented circumnavigation of Australia raises questions about Beijing's intentions. This route, stretching from the South China Sea through the Torres Strait, along Australia's east coast, and within 200 nautical miles of HMAS Stirling near Perth, where the USS Minnesota was docked under the AUKUS pact, might be more than routine maritime activity. It could be a deliberate step in China's war preparations, one possibility that warrants serious consideration.
The case for this interpretation rests on several points. First, the timing and location are striking. HMAS Stirling is a linchpin in the AUKUS alliance, which aims to bolster Australia's naval capabilities with nuclear-powered submarines—a direct counter to China's growing dominance in the Indo-Pacific. By sailing advanced warships, including the stealthy and missile-heavy Type 055, near this base, China could be testing its ability to project power into Australia's backyard, signalling its readiness to challenge AUKUS head-on. This flexing of naval muscle aligns with Beijing's vocal opposition to the pact, which it sees as an encirclement strategy by the U.S. and its allies.
Second, the scale and composition of the flotilla suggest more than a symbolic gesture. The Type 055, often dubbed a "cruiser" in Western analysis for its firepower and technological sophistication, paired with a Type 052D destroyer and a supply ship, indicates a force capable of sustained operations far from home. This mirrors the kind of logistical and combat readiness needed for wartime scenarios, such as blockades, reconnaissance, or even pre-emptive strikes. The circumnavigation of Australia—a journey spanning thousands of miles—demonstrates China's expanding operational reach, a critical asset in any future conflict.
Third, historical patterns bolster the war-prep hypothesis. China has ramped up its naval presence near Australia in recent years, with incidents like the February 2025 passage of three warships 150 nautical miles east of Sydney. These recurring deployments suggest a strategy of normalising PLA Navy operations in contested or allied waters, potentially desensitising regional powers to its presence while gathering intelligence—a classic precursor to escalation. Coupled with China's rapid naval build-up, despite setbacks like the 2024 submarine sinking, this could reflect a nation gearing up for a broader confrontation.
Geopolitical context adds weight to this possibility. Tensions over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and U.S.-led alliances like AUKUS have pushed China to adopt a more assertive stance. Sailing near a key AUKUS hub could serve as both a warning and a rehearsal, preparing the PLA Navy for scenarios where it must neutralise or deter Western forces in the Pacific. While the Australian Defence Force downplayed the event as lawful under international maritime rules, intent matters more than legality here—China's compliance with navigation norms doesn't preclude strategic positioning for war.
Of course, this is one interpretation, not a certainty. The ships stayed in international waters, and were Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasised, no immediate threat. Beijing could frame this as routine training or a diplomatic jab, not a war footing. Yet the confluence of advanced hardware, proximity to a sensitive allied base, and a pattern of assertive naval moves makes the war-prep scenario plausible. As one possibility, it suggests China is not just posturing but actively conditioning its forces—and its adversaries—for a potential conflict ahead.
Meanwhile the Leftists here would welcome such an invasion. Can communist China take these agents back, please?
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