A rare military drill by China in the Tasman Sea prompts reactions from Australia and New Zealand, affecting airline operations and heightening regional security tensions.
**China's Military Drill Near Australia Spurs Airline Route Adjustments**
**China's Military Drill Near Australia Spurs Airline Route Adjustments**
Planes between Australia and New Zealand rerouted as China's naval exercise raises concerns.
Planes traveling between Australia and New Zealand have been rerouted due to China's unprecedented military drill occurring in the Tasman Sea, sparking concern in both nations. The exercise, which may include live firing, has led Australian airline Qantas and others to temporarily alter their flight paths—an unusual step intended to ensure safety amid the movement of three Chinese naval vessels observed by the Australian military.
Currently, the Chinese fleet is positioned about 340 nautical miles east of New South Wales, although reports indicate the ships came as close as 150 nautical miles to Sydney. This event is notable enough for the Australian Defence Force and New Zealand officials to monitor the situation closely, as the exercise is deemed “unusual” according to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.
In a statement, China insists the operations are compliant with international law. They have characterized the exercises as routine and standard, emphasizing that they have proceeded in a safe manner. Yet, the engagement raised eyebrows when it was revealed that the Chinese did not formally notify Australia or New Zealand in advance of their live-fire drills. Marles noted that such notifications are typically expected to be given 12 to 24 hours ahead of time, raising questions of protocol.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reassured that the exercise has not posed an immediate threat to either country, despite some near misses with airline flights reported. An Emirates flight en route from Sydney to Christchurch received an alert about the drills while still in the air, highlighting the potentially hazardous implications of the drill for civilian aviation.
Furthermore, this drill comes shortly after a defence dialogue between Australia and China in Beijing, which had focused on issues like military transparency and communication. However, ongoing tensions in the region persist, with past incidents—such as a Chinese fighter jet dropping flares near an Australian military aircraft—complicating the bilateral relationship. Both Australia and New Zealand remain vigilant as they navigate the shifting dynamics in their maritime borders.
