China
2025.02.22 17:59 GMT+8

China: Military drills off Australia's east coast comply with international law

Updated 2025.02.22 17:59 GMT+8
CGTN

A file photo of Chinese navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier group conducting realistic combat training in distant waters, December 19, 2021. /VCG

Chinese navy's military drills off Australia's east coast comply with relevant international laws and practices, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday. 

When asked about the drills at a daily news briefing, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the drills were organized by the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) as part of routine training exercises in distant waters, which were carried out in a safe, regulated and professional manner.

The Australian government had issued a warning to airlines on Friday regarding potential live-fire exercises by the Chinese navy in the Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand. 

The Australian side said that it had been closely monitoring the Chinese navy task group in the country's exclusive economic zone off its east coast since the group entered Australia's maritime approaches last week. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated on Thursday that the ships did not pose any threats and did not breach any maritime laws.

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