The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has this afternoon witnessed live rounds being fired from a Chinese warship in the Tasman Sea.
Flights had to be diverted yesterday after commercial pilots were warned to avoid airspace between New Zealand and Australia after three Chinese vessels carried out drills in international waters around 340 nautical miles south-east of Sydney.
“We are aware of reporting from the New Zealand Defence Force that the Chinese naval Task Group has advised of a second window for live firing activity, on Saturday afternoon New Zealand time,” the office of Defence Minister Judith Collins confirmed today in a statement.
“We have had confirmation that personnel on Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha observed live rounds being fired from the Zunyi’s main gun, as would be expected during the course of such an exercise.
“As happened yesterday, the Chinese Task Group advised via radio channels of its intent to conduct live firing.”
The NZDF is working alongside the NZ Civil Aviation Authority “to ensure all aircraft are notified”.
“The safety of all people, aircraft and vessels in the area remains our paramount concern.
“Our concerns regarding notification times and best practise when undertaking military exercises stand and will be communicated appropriately.”
‘We haven’t been given a reason’ – Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier today confirmed to reporters that the Chinese government did not inform New Zealand about its movements.
“We haven’t been given a reason as to why they’re here in this configuration with this set of ships, with these different set of capabilities, and we don’t really have a sense of, you know — we haven’t been told where they’re going and why,” he said.
“They are in international waters, they are completely within the balance of international law and the UN Convention on the law on the sea, which is important. It is important that all countries have freedom of navigation. It works for us when we are out and about in the world as well.”
Luxon said the NZDF is “continuously monitoring, tracking and shadowing the movements of this fleet in conjunction with our Australian friends and partners and we will continue to do so”.
