Planes flying between Australia and New Zealand have been rerouted due to a significant military exercise conducted by China in the Tasman Sea, which some reports suggest could involve live fire activities. Three Chinese naval vessels, including a frigate and a cruiser, have been observed in the area, prompting Australia to label the presence as “unusual” for the region.
In response to the heightened military activity, Australian airline Qantas announced it has "temporarily adjusted" aircraft paths and recommended that other carriers follow suit. Notably, the Chinese ships have been tracked at a distance of about 340 nautical miles from Australia but were reported to have come as close as 150 nautical miles from Sydney earlier in the week.
Both countries have been closely monitoring the vessels since last week, with Australian and New Zealand ships maintaining a watchful presence in the area. Criticism has been directed towards China for not alerting New Zealand about the military drills, with New Zealand's Defence Minister Judith Collins stating that the Chinese government had not communicated their intentions ahead of time.
Australia's Defence Minister, Richard Marles, indicated that while the maritime activity isn't entirely unprecedented, it is certainly out of the ordinary. China's foreign ministry confirmed the naval exercises were taking place in "distant waters" and asserted that the drills adhered to international laws and practices.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that notifications had been issued regarding potential live fire exercises, but highlighted that there had been no imminent threats to Australian or New Zealand assets. In an unusual occurrence, commercial airlines flying in the vicinity received notifications of the drills directly from Chinese authorities during their flights.
Airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand, are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting routes as necessary while ensuring coordination with the Australian government. This military drill follows a recent defense dialogue held in Beijing between Australia and China, where both parties discussed military communication and transparency amidst rising tensions, including recent confrontations in the South China Sea.
