Australia warns airlines to beware Chinese navy live-fire exercise

In this photo provided by the Australian Defence Force, the People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang travels in the Torres Strait off Australia’s coast (Australian Defence Force/AP)

Australia has warned international airlines flying between Australian airports and New Zealand to beware of Chinese warships conducting a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday.

Ms Wong confirmed an Australian Broadcasting Corporation report that regulator Airservices Australia had warned commercial pilots of a potential hazard in the airspace between the countries as three Chinese warships conduct exercises off the Australian east coast.