Australia Challenges China Over Unprecedented Live-Fire Naval Drills

Chinese naval vessels conducted unexpected live-fire drills off Australia's east coast, prompting multiple commercial airlines to divert flights. This exercise, which involved the Type 055 destroyer Zunyi, Type 054A frigate Hengyang, and replenishment ship Weishanhu, was not communicated adequately to Australian authorities, causing concern among air traffic officials. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart, urging for better transparency regarding such military activities. While the drills were described as compliant with international law, Defense Minister Richard Marles noted that standard practice requires a 12 to 24-hour advance notification, which was not followed. Subsequently, no weapon firings were confirmed, but a floating target was deployed and later recovered. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that despite the drills, there was no immediate threat to Australian or New Zealand assets, while Airservices Australia issued alerts to ensure commercial aircraft safety.