Commercial flights diverted as Chinese warships conduct live-fire exercises near Australia

Commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand have been diverted due to Chinese warships conducting live-fire exercises near Australia. The vessels came within 150 nautical miles of Sydney, prompting airlines like Qantas and Emirates to change flight paths. The Australian Defence Department was not officially notified of the exercises, receiving only a verbal warning. No weapons were reported fired during the drills, which took place 346 nautical miles off Eden, New South Wales. Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister plans to discuss the situation with Chinese officials. Concerns have been raised about the lack of formal notifications regarding the military activities, which some view as provocative.