China-Australia Relations

China's response to the exercises: "Australia is exaggerating"

China is dissatisfied with New Zealand and Australia raising the alarm about Chinese military exercises in the region. In a statement, China's Ministry of Defense accuses Australia of "deliberately exaggerating" the seriousness of the exercises, which the ministry says were carried out far from the Australian coast.

On Friday, China conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. On Saturday, similar exercises were repeated in international waters off the coast of Australia.

New Zealand raises the alarm about Chinese military exercises

For the second day in a row, the Chinese military has conducted exercises in international waters near New Zealand, Reuters reports. According to New Zealand, Saturday's exercises were conducted with live fire in the Tasman Sea.

According to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, it is unclear why the Chinese ships are practicing there.

“We are monitoring and following the fleet,” he said.

On Friday, several flights were forced to adjust their routes after China announced that it was planning military exercises off Australia. The Australian Defence Force said the Chinese exercises posed no danger to the two countries.