Australia Criticizes China's Short-Notice Naval Drill Near East Coast

Chinese warships issued a live-fire warning in international waters, forcing flight diversions and raising safety concerns.

Chinese naval vessels conducted a training exercise 640 kilometers off Australia's east coast, issuing a live-fire warning with minimal notice.
Commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand were forced to alter routes due to the warning, causing disruption but no reported injuries.
Australia and New Zealand monitored the Chinese task force, which included a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply tanker, but observed no confirmed live weapon firings.
Australian officials, including Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, criticized the lack of sufficient notice and raised the issue with their Chinese counterparts.
The incident adds to a series of tense interactions between China and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region, including recent accusations of unsafe military conduct by Chinese forces.