Australia says China warned of ‘live fire’ drill off east coast

SYDNEY: China issued a warning on Friday of potential “live fire” naval drills in international waters off Australia´s eastern coast but gave little prior notice, disrupting commercial air flights, the Australian government said.

Beijing described the manoeuvres as training exercises that were “safe, standard and professional” and in line with international law, without commenting on whether live ammunition was used.

Australia´s defence forces, joined by close ally New Zealand, have been monitoring the Chinese navy vessels -- a frigate, a cruiser and a supply tanker -- since they were spotted last week.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said China gave a warning that the vessels intended to engage in live firing as they sailed about half way between Australia and New Zealand in the Tasman Sea.

“By that I mean a broadcast that was picked up by airlines or literally planes that were commercial planes that were flying across the Tasman,” he told national broadcaster ABC.

The Chinese naval ships were in international waters and acting within international law, Marles said, but Australian warships would typically give 12-24 hours´ notice of such drills to give airlines time to react.

“That notice was not provided here,” the defence minister said. “This was very disconcerting for the planes that were flying, but they were able to divert,” he said, stressing that the aircraft had not been placed in danger.

Australia had made representations to China both in Canberra and in Beijing asking why the purported live fire drills were held there and why more notice was not given to avoid disruption, Marles said. The government was still awaiting confirmation that live firing actually took place, he said.