SYDNEY/WELLINGTON:
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised concerns with her Chinese counterpart on Friday over inadequate notice given by the Chinese navy of a rare live-fire exercise in international waters between Australia and New Zealand that forced airlines to divert flights.
Airlines including Qantas, Emirates and Air New Zealand modified flight paths between Australia and New Zealand after China broadcast a message that its navy would hold live-fire exercises off Australia’s New South Wales coast in international waters.
A People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate, cruiser and replenishment vessel entered Australia’s maritime approaches last week, and travelled down Australia’s east coast this week, monitored by the navies and air forces of Australia and New Zealand.
