Chinese naval drills disrupt 49 Australian flights over busy air corridor

Chinese warships conducted live-fire drills off eastern Australia last week, forcing 49 commercial flights to change course. The drills occurred under a busy flight path between Australia and New Zealand, with warnings broadcast on a frequency monitored by pilots. Australia's air safety agency learned of the drills when a flight picked up the warning. The agency noted that air traffic controllers did not monitor the frequency used by the Chinese vessels. Australia acknowledged the drills were in international waters but criticized China for insufficient notice. China defended its actions as safe and standard, while both Australia and New Zealand continue to monitor the warships.