Three warships are on their way back to mainland China carrying many cartons of baby formula after an unannounced visit to Sydney Harbour, Australia.
For four days, a Chinese frigate, supply ship, and amphibious warfare vessel were docked at the Garden Island Navy Base, 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of downtown Sydney.
A photo that News Limited took of the soldiers reveals they were loading what seemed to be dozens of cartons filled with A2 platinum and Aptamil baby formula aboard the vessels.
The unannounced visit coincided with the 30th anniversary of the regime’s Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4 and sparked widespread media speculation that the Chinese communist regime was sending a political message about its naval capabilities and presence in the South Pacific.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison explained shortly after the arrival of the Chinese Navy taskforce that China had requested the stop over after finishing anti-piracy operations in East Africa’s Gulf of Aden.
He described the visit as a reciprocal visit after Australian naval vessels had visited China.
“It may have been a surprise to others but it certainly wasn’t a surprise to the government,” Morrison told the Australian Associated Press.
However, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian admitted she did not know exactly why the warships, which carried a total of about 700 sailors, were visiting Sydney.
This was most concerning for Labor opposition leader Anthony Albanese.
“The fact that the NSW government of Gladys Berejiklian apparently weren’t informed, I think requires some further explanation of just why it that didn’t happen,” he told AAP.
Former Coalition Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce called the Chinese regime a “benevolent tyranny,” saying that Australia has to make sure it is treated as an equal trading partner.
“They are not a democracy—they’re basically a benevolent tyranny,” he told AAP. “Australia has to obviously recognise the economic strength and trade with them but we want to trade with them as a partner, not as a servant.”
Joyce said Australia has to consider how it plays a role in maintaining maritime peace in the region.
Global News 
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