If you were on a flight between Australia and New Zealand this week and noticed a detour, blame it on an unexpected guest in the Tasman Sea—China’s navy.
Three Chinese warships popped up between the two countries, conducting military drills that may involve live fire.
It’s not every day that frigates and cruisers come this close to the borders of Australia and New Zealand.
Flights Diverts Flights
Qantas and other airlines quickly adjusted their flight paths because no one wants a passenger jet anywhere near a military exercise.
Australia called the presence of the Chinese fleet “unusual.”
At the same time, New Zealand’s Defense Minister, Judith Collins, was a little less diplomatic, pointing out that China hadn’t bothered to give them a heads-up.
Even Australia’s Defense Minister, Richard Marles hit back.
He said the live-fire alert came not through official channels but via a broadcast that commercial planes just happened to pick up mid-flight.
China insists everything is above board, saying the drills are “safe” and “in accordance with international law.”
