Australia says China failed to explain inadequate navy live-fire notice

22/2/2025 13:11

Australia accused China on Saturday of failing to give satisfactory reasons for what it called inadequate notice of a live-fire drill in waters between Australia and New Zealand that forced airlines to divert flights.



Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government did not yet have "a satisfactory answer from China as to the question of the notice" of the drills, which he has said was "disconcerting" for commercial aviation.



"When we do an activity of this kind, we would typically give 12 to 24 hours notice," Marles told broadcaster Nine Entertainment, according to a transcript. "A satisfactory answer is why that couldn't have been done."



On Friday, 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 in international waters off the coast of Australia's New South Wales state.



Australia's defence force said there was no imminent risk of danger to Australian or New Zealand assets, the government said on Friday.