Chinese Navy warships conducted live-fire drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand on February 21, forcing several commercial flights to change their routes.
The Guardian reported that three Chinese ships, including a destroyer, a frigate and a supply ship, entered international waters, about 340 nautical miles off the southern coast of Australia’s New South Wales state. The Chinese navy informed the Australian Ministry of Defense before conducting the exercise.
China said the exercise was “safe, standard and professional” and in accordance with international law. A New Zealand Navy ship supervised the exercise. The Chinese ships changed formation, placed targets in the water, continued moving and retrieved the targets. According to The Guardian , the New Zealand ship did not see any fire from the Chinese ships, but the formation was said to resemble a live-fire exercise.
On February 21, the Australian military released images of a Chinese frigate moving in undisclosed waters on February 11.
At least three commercial aircraft changed their routes on February 21 due to the activities of the Chinese Navy ship. The Australian Civil Aviation Authority has been informed of the live-fire drill schedule in international waters and has provided direct instructions to pilots.
Asked about the drills, China's Foreign Ministry said the country's military "has organized naval formations to conduct training and exercises in distant waters," according to AFP.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Beijing had informed Canberra of the activities of the three ships, including the possibility of live-fire exercises. “The activity was outside Australia’s exclusive economic zone. Australian and New Zealand ships and aircraft monitored the Chinese fleet as it moved closer to Australian waters,” Mr Albanese said.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tau-chien-trung-quoc-tap-tran-ban-dan-that-tren-vung-bien-gan-uc-185250221194937325.htm
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