China

Three Chinese warships, fresh from live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea, have re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and are now being tracked east of Hobart. The Australian Defence Department has confirmed that the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) flotilla is moving closer to Tasmania, prompting coordinated monitoring efforts with New Zealand’s military.

The blog post explores China's Planetary Defence Initiative amid growing concerns over asteroid threats, particularly the 2024 YR4 asteroid. It discusses the recruitment of a dedicated planetary defence force by China, highlighting the nation's commitment to enhancing space capabilities and national security. The initiative represents a proactive measure towards safeguarding against cosmic threats and emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in planetary defense strategies. With rising interest from global space agencies, the article delves into the implications of China's ambitions in planetary defense and the need for cooperative approaches to mitigate potential asteroid impacts.