Xi puts out a threat.

Beijing has issued a warning to “certain countries that infringe upon its rights” amid soaring tensions in the South China Sea.

Beijing has issued a fresh warning to “certain countries” amid soaring tensions in the South China Sea.

China claims swathes of the sea and its oil-rich seabed and has long been embroiled in fierce territorial disputes with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and, most viciously, the Philippines.

Australia has been a staunch supporter of the Philippines as it pushes back against Chinese vessels violating its internationally recognised exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, with Canberra joining defence drills and pledging to step up its naval presence.

An article published on Tuesday by Chinese state-controlled media said a conflict in the sea was “unlikely to occur in the near term” but added that “certain countries should not harbour any illusions, as China will respond decisively to actions that infringe upon its rights and claims”........

Pooh Xi's pirates are causing a stir playing in our gutter.

New Zealand defence minister warns Chinese warships ‘extremely capable’, carrying long-range ballistic missiles.

New Zealand’s defence minister has warned a flotilla of Chinese warships conducting military drills off the coast of Australia are packing “extremely capable” weapons, with a range of up to 1000km.

The scary new detail emerged as the Judith Collins weighed into the recent security scare prompted by two People’s Liberation Army-navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel conducting drills in the Tasman Sea last week.

Australian authorities have raised alarm bells over Beijing’s brazen act despite the live fire testing occurring outside Australia’s exclusive economic zone.

China has also responded, with the eastern superpower’s defence ministry accusing Australia of making a “groundless accusation”......

Preparations to extend the Nine-dash line to encompass the Tasman Sea also?

Chinese agent caught while preparing to run.

Court documents allege 'unexplained wealth' of Chinese national charged with reckless foreign interference.

Hermes handbags worth tens of thousands of dollars, multiple properties, cash and a Rolex watch receipt for $24,000, are alleged to be part of the "unexplained wealth" of a Chinese national charged with reckless foreign interference.

The woman has been remanded in custody by the ACT Supreme Court after police alleged she had been tasked by the People's Republic of China to investigate a Buddhist religious group operating in Australia.

She faced the ACT Magistrates Court last Monday, and was charged with foreign interference.

Documents released by the court today include a list of items found during a search of the woman's home.....

....The court refused the woman's application for bail last week, in part because of a risk the woman would flee the country during the investigation.

Police documents showed that when she was arrested, five suitcases consistent with international travel were found in the woman's lounge room, and alleged that she told an associate she intended to leave and had packed bags of clothes.....

Karma strikes Xi's pirates.

Chinese vessels collide chasing Philippine boat in disputed South China Sea.

A Chinese navy vessel has collided with one from its own coast guard while chasing a Philippine patrol boat in the South China Sea, with Manila releasing dramatic video footage of the confrontation.

The incident occurred near the contested Scarborough Shoal as the Philippine Coast Guard escorted boats distributing aid to fishermen in the area, spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement.

Video released by Manila showed a China Coast Guard ship and a much larger vessel bearing the number 164 on its hull colliding with a loud crash.

Additional footage and photos released later by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the stricken Chinese vessel still afloat but with its entire bow crumpled inward.....

It seems that they also didn't like a certain missile being used here during this year's Australian Talisman Sabre exercise.

A US hypersonic missile test being conducted down under has sparked a fierce response from Beijing.

China has accused Australia of being a ‘tool’ after hosting a secret prototype United States hypersonic missile system during recent war-games.

“Australia has not only already been a tool of the US Indo-Pacific strategy, but is increasingly becoming both a strategic and tactical weapon for Washington across multiple aspects,” East China Normal University Australia analyst Chen Hong told the Beijing-controlled South China Morning Post.

The accusation comes after the US Army deployed its experimental new Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon outside the continental US for the first time.......

They sound worried.