Australia says China failed to explain inadequate navy live fire notice

CANBERRA - Australia accused China on Feb 22 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,” Mr Marles told broadcaster Nine Entertainment, according to a transcript.

“A satisfactory answer is why that couldn’t have been done.”

On Feb 21, 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 Australias 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 Feb 21.

“China did comply with international law and that’s important to not suggest that that wasn’t the case,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Feb 22 in remarks televised by the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Feb 21 the naval exercises “upheld safety standards and professional operations throughout in accordance with relevant international laws and international practices”.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Feb 21 on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting in South Africa, saying they would discuss “safe and professional military conduct”.

The exercise took place after 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