A rare Chinese military exercise is underway in the Tasman Sea, prompting Australia and New Zealand to divert planes flying between the two countries. The exercise involves three Chinese naval ships in international waters, 340 nautical miles east of the New South Wales coast.
Australia has called the presence of the ships “unusual” and said it temporarily adjusted its plane routes. Qantas, an Australian airline, and other carriers have reportedly done the same. China claims the exercise is in accordance with international law.
The Chinese fleet includes a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply tanker. Australia and New Zealand have been monitoring their movements since last week and dispatched their own ships to observe them. Earlier this week, New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins said China had not informed them of the planned exercise.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles described the event as “not unprecedented but unusual”. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that the exercises were conducted in a safe and professional manner. However, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that the Chinese fleet did not notify Australian officials directly about the alert, which was broadcast to airlines.
The drill comes amid recent tensions between the two countries, including maritime encounters in the South China Sea and Yellow Sea.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clydv58l57do