The ambassador said China will not apologize for military exercises in eastern Australia.
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The Chinese ambassador to Australia said his country had no reason to apologize for military exercises conducted in international waters between Australia and New Zealand on Friday that forced at least 49 flights to change the road.
Both Australia and New Zealand expressed concerns about Beijing’s rare live exercises in the Tasman Sea, saying they had not received adequate notice from the Chinese Navy.
Ambassador Xiao Qian said that China’s navy conducted exercises that comply with international law and notified in advance after international practice.
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Xiao told the National Broadcaster News in an interview.
“Different countries have different practices and, depending on the nature of the exercise, the size of the exercise and the scope of the exercise, I think the Chinese Navy certification recommendation is appropriate.”
Shaw said the exercises did not pose any threat to Australia, one of its largest trading partners, and suggested Canberra hopes that more Chinese ships will sail in the region in the future.
Xiao told ABC News: “As a country with a lot of things to look at, as the main power of the region, China normally sends its ships to different regions of the region for various activities.”
The New Zealand Defence Force said that on the Great Australian Bight that continued westward on Friday, a frigate, cruiser and supply vessels continued westward.
Australian Air Traffic Control Agency officials told the parliamentary committee this week that a Virgin Australia pilot first reminded them about the Chinese mission team, an emergency broadcast channel aired in a message from the Chinese mission team, mainly monitored by pilots.
Australian Defense Minister David Johnston told the committee on Thursday that the Defense Ministry would likely know about the exercise within 30 minutes of the start.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who conducted a poll ahead of the national election in May, underscores the incident, saying the drills took place in international waters and that China did not violate any maritime laws.
But the opposition Free Nationals said it would be a major event if the Australian Defence Force is aware of the late exercise and must be warned by commercial pilots.
(Reported by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editor of Lincoln Feast.)
