Richard Marles, Australia's Defence Minister, said that the country is closely monitoring the Chinese navy task force in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the east coast. The ships do not pose a threat as they have not broken any maritime laws.

Last week, a People's Liberation Army Navy cruiser, frigate and replenishment vessel entered Australia's sea approaches. The frigate was transiting the Torres Strait that separates Australia from Papua New Guinea.

The Financial Times reported that the ship has moved south and is now within 150 nautical mile (240 km) from the coast of Sydney. The location was not mentioned in a statement from the defence department.

Marles said to Sky News that "we are keeping a very close eye on them, and we'll be sure to watch every move."

"And once this mission on the part the Chinese task group is over, we will evaluate everything we have seen in order to make a correct assessment of what they were trying achieve through this missions."

He said that the Australian air force and navy monitored the ships.

"This is an unusual, but not unprecedented event. Marles stated that just as they had a legal right to be in international water, we also have the right to be cautious and make sure we're watching them.

The Chinese ships' sailing comes after Australia raised concerns to Beijing this month over what it called "unsafe and non-professional" actions of a Chinese fighter plane towards an Australian naval patrol in the South China Sea. Beijing disputes that account.

China is looking to increase its presence in the Pacific. Australia and the United States, who have dominated the region for decades, are trying to discourage Pacific island nations to form security ties with China.

Marles will meet with Billy Joseph on Thursday as the two countries prepare to begin talks on a bilateral defense treaty. (Reporting and editing by Daniel Wallis in Sydney)

(source: Reuters)