Chinese Navy conducts live-fire drills off the coast of Australia, causing commercial flights to reroute

Image: Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong delivers a keynote speech at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia, on March 4, 2024. Southeast Asian leaders gathered for discussions, lasting until March 6, on a range of issues, including clean energy cooperation and China’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

People News - On Friday (21st), a Chinese naval fleet conducted a rare live-fire exercise off the coast of Australia. In response, Australia immediately notified airlines to avoid flying in the airspace between Australia and New Zealand. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and proper notification regarding the Chinese military drills.

According to Reuters and AFP, Australia received notice on Friday from China (the CCP) about a floating target being placed in international waters off the coast of New South Wales for live-fire exercises. Australian authorities promptly issued warnings to flights passing through the airspace between Australia and New Zealand. Qantas and Jetstar Airlines temporarily adjusted some of their flights across the Tasman Sea, and Air New Zealand also rerouted to avoid the affected area.

Radio Free Asia reported that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated later that day that the Chinese Navy's drills had concluded. It remains unclear whether live ammunition was used, but he pointed out that China followed its usual procedures in issuing notifications, including the potential use of live ammunition. The exercise occurred outside Australia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), at least 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) away from the coast.

Penny Wong expressed concern about the lack of transparency surrounding the "live-fire drills" and the notification process, and she plans to raise the issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.

The Chinese naval fleet, consisting of the "Hengyang" frigate, the "Zunyi" destroyer, and the "Weishanhu" supply ship, entered the waters surrounding Australia last week and sailed along the eastern coast of Australia this week, with both the Australian and New Zealand military closely monitoring the situation.