Australia learns of Chinese naval drills from commercial pilot alert

Australia learned about Chinese live-fire naval drills near its coast from a commercial pilot's emergency alert. The drills, which occurred in the Tasman Sea, forced at least 49 flights to divert their routes on Friday. Chinese officials did not issue a formal notice to airmen about the drills, which raised concerns in Australia and New Zealand. The exercises were conducted in international waters, but experts noted that better communication could have improved safety. The Chinese naval group has since moved further away from Australia, and local defense forces are monitoring their activities. While the drills are unprecedented in the region, similar exercises are common for navies worldwide.