Australia's Defence Minister questions China's live-fire exercises

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles stated he is unsure if China conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, despite Chinese media releasing footage of the drills. This uncertainty follows a week of conflicting reports about the exercises. The drills reportedly occurred 640 kilometers off the New South Wales coast, causing 49 aircraft to change course. Marles acknowledged confusion over the timeline of notifications regarding the exercises, which began before Australia received official warnings. China's Defence Ministry claimed its actions were lawful and issued safety notices prior to the drills. Marles also noted the government could not confirm if a submarine was accompanying the Chinese warships, highlighting the importance of Australia's long-range submarine capabilities.