China Defends Naval Drills as Australia and New Zealand Raise Concerns

Beijing and Canberra clash over notification protocols after Chinese live-fire exercises disrupt flights in the Tasman Sea.

China conducted live-fire naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand, prompting airlines to reroute flights due to short-notice warnings.
Australian officials criticized the lack of adequate advance notice, typically expected to be 12 to 24 hours, calling the situation disconcerting for aviation safety.
China's Defense Ministry maintained the drills complied with international law and accused Australia of exaggerating the issue with unreasonable accusations.
New Zealand confirmed a second day of Chinese live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea and stated it was monitoring the Chinese naval fleet's activities.
The incident follows broader tensions between Australia and China, including disputes in the South China Sea and concerns over military conduct.