Planes diverted as China conducts rare military drill near Australia

Flights between Australia and New Zealand have been rerouted due to China conducting high-profile military exercises in nearby waters, potentially involving live-fire drills. The recent appearance of three Chinese naval vessels in the Tasman Sea, a rare occurrence, has raised concerns in both countries, with Australia describing it as "unusual." This has prompted a reassessment of flight paths to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft.

Australian airline Qantas told the BBC it had "temporarily adjusted" its flight paths, and other airlines have reportedly done the same. China has stated that the exercises are being conducted in international waters and are in accordance with international law. These exercises are a part of routine military training and are not directed at any specific country.

The vessels are reportedly located 340 nautical miles east of the coast of New South Wales, Australia, but were said to have been as close as 150 nautical miles from Sydney at one point. Australia and New Zealand have been closely monitoring the Chinese fleet, which includes a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply ship, and have deployed their own vessels to observe. The surveillance efforts aim to understand the nature and scope of the Chinese naval activity.

New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins said earlier this week that China did not inform them it was sending warships to the area and was "dismissive of informing us of activity in the Tasman Sea." Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that the appearance of the vessels was "not unprecedented, but it is an unusual event." The lack of prior notification has raised questions about transparency and communication protocols.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that they were conducting naval training and exercises in "distant waters." Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jia Kun said: "The exercises are always conducted in a safe, standard and professional manner, in accordance with relevant international law and practice." The exercises are designed to improve the Chinese navy's capabilities in open-sea operations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added: "This activity is occurring in waters consistent with international law… there is no imminent threat to Australian or New Zealand assets." However, Marles stated that China did not directly notify Australian officials when issuing the alert. He said that China simply issued a notice indicating its intention to conduct live-fire drills, which meant that "airlines, effectively commercial aircraft that are flying over the Tasman Sea, received the broadcast." Typically, such notices are issued 12 to 24 hours in advance.

Reportedly, on Friday, an Emirates flight from Sydney to Christchurch was informed of the exercises by Chinese authorities while still in the air. The BBC is seeking confirmation. Qantas confirmed to the BBC in a statement that it had altered the flight paths of its aircraft flying over the Tasman Sea and said it was continuously monitoring the airspace. "We continue to work with the Australian Government and the broader industry to monitor the situation," the statement added. Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have reportedly taken similar measures, prioritizing passenger safety.

The exercises come days after Australia and China held defense talks in Beijing, where they discussed issues such as military transparency and communication. There have been several tense maritime encounters between the two countries recently. Earlier this month, Canberra said a Chinese fighter jet fired flares in front of an Australian military aircraft while flying over the South China Sea. Beijing said the aircraft had "deliberately intruded" into its airspace. In May last year, Australia accused a Chinese fighter jet of dropping flares near an Australian navy helicopter participating in a UN Security Council Yellow Sea mission. In November 2023, Canberra accused the Chinese navy of injuring Australian divers with sonar pulses in international waters near Japan. These incidents highlight the ongoing complexities in the relationship between the two countries.