Australia notified late about China's live-fire exercises

Australia's Defence officials learned about China's live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea about 40 minutes after they began. They were first notified by a Virgin Australia pilot at around 10:10am, after the exercises started at 9:30am. The Chinese navy did not provide advance notice of the drills, which led to nearly 50 flight diversions in busy airspace. Defence officials acknowledged the notification was inadequate and expressed a preference for at least 24-48 hours' notice. Chinese warships have since moved back into Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone, approximately 250 kilometers south of Tasmania. Defence officials are uncertain if a Chinese submarine is accompanying the task force.