The unusual naval exercise late last week is considered to have been a deliberate and provocative move by the Chinese that will send a clear message to the region.
For the first time, the Chinese navy sent warships sailing through the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.
The ships travelled along the southern edge of Java, close to Christmas Island, and then through the Lombok Strait between Lombok and Bali.
The move is considered to be an unprecedented show of military might by the Chinese, and will have a significant impact on security and strategic policy settings for Australia and our regional neighbours, particularly Indonesia and India .... http://www.abc.net
