Chinese warships circle Australia, stoking an anxious nation's worst fears

The exercises do not appear to have breached international law, but they have fuelled deep anxieties in Australia. PHOTO: AFP - An unprecedented move by Chinese warships to "circumnavigate" Australian territory has touched a nerve, as the country grows increasingly concerned about China's reach and intentions in the region. Australia's military spotted three Chinese warships on Feb 10 in the Arafura Sea, off the northern tip of Australia. But Canberra appeared to have little inkling that the ships were just setting out on an unprecedented voyage that would bring them within 150 nautical miles of Sydney, as part of what…