China s naval drill draws cautious response from Australia New Zealand

CANBERRA/WELLINGTON – China’s live-fire naval exercises in the Tasman Sea triggered heightened concern but relatively muted criticism from the leaders of Australia and New Zealand on Feb 22.

The two smaller economies, which have been at odds with Beijing over strategic issues such as tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, are highly dependent on the Asian nation for trade.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said China had acted within international law, but that “it would be appropriate to have been given more warning of this potential event taking place”. Australia, too, undertakes activities in international waters and international airspace, he said.

His New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon echoed that view over the exercises, Radio New Zealand reported.

A spokesperson for Defence Minister Judith Collins said in a statement on Feb 22 that the Chinese naval task group had advised of a second window for live firing activity that afternoon. Personnel on New Zealand Navy frigate Te Kaha later observed live rounds fired from a Chinese vessel’s main gun.

Mr Albanese was clear in acknowledging the importance of Australia’s trading relationship with China when asked by a reporter if he would be looking at some sort of retaliation over the live-fire drills.

“You do know that most of the trade goes from here to there, not the other way round, and I’ve worked pretty hard to make sure that products including seafood products can get into China,” Mr Albanese said.

He added that there are “one in four Australian jobs that depend upon trade and China is our major trading partner”.

Australian and New Zealand vessels and aircraft had been monitoring the three Chinese warships, which first appeared off the coast of the Northern Territory a week ago. The exercises on Feb 21 caused commercial airlines to