Commercial flights diverted as Chinese warships undertake apparent live-fire drill in sea between Australia and New Zealand

<p>Three Chinese vessels currently in international waters notified Australia’s defence department before the drill</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/21/australia-news-live-rba-michele-bullock-interest-rates-cost-of-living-election-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>Chinese warships have undertaken an apparent live-fire drill in the seas between Australia and New Zealand, diverting commercial flights in the skies above.</p><p>The Chinese navy<em> </em>notified the Australian defence department shortly before the drill on Friday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/21/commercial-flights-diverted-as-chinese-warships-undertake-apparent-live-fire-drill-in-sea-between-australia-and-new-zealand">Continue reading...</a>