CHINA has launched shock war drills near Australia and New Zealand forcing flights to dramatically divert.
Airlines flying over the sea were warned by the Chinese military to change their flight path over an allegedly secret exercise.
China's potential live-fire drills were a shock to Australian authorities who reportedly only learned about these exercises from surprised commercial pilots, Defense Minister Richard Marles revealed on Friday.
Marles said: “To be clear, we weren’t notified by China.
“What China did was put out a notification that it was intending to engage in live firing.
"By that, I mean a broadcast that was picked up by airlines or literally … commercial planes that were flying across the Tasman."
The minister explained this was unprecedented because authorities typically give a 12 to 24-hour notice of live-fire drills.
Three Chinese warships were reportedly running these exercises just 150 nautical miles east of Sydney.
The vessels were supposedly seen changing formation, deploying a floating target, and resetting formations, which resembled a live-fire drill, according to ABC News.
Airline pilots were reportedly claiming they were being "harassed" by the Chinese military, per the MailOnline.
Three flights, from Sydney to Christchurch, were affected by this surprise display of force from China.
Airlines like Emirates, Qantas, and Air New Zealand flights reported changing their flight paths over the Tasman Sea.
Earlier this week, New Zealand's Defence Minister revealed the Chinese government and embassy had not given any notice that it would send warships to the region.
Minister Judith Collins said: "They have not deigned to advise us on what they are doing in the middle of the Tasman Sea."
China's foreign ministry confirmed they were doing naval training and exercises in "distant waters", on Friday.
Despite New Zealand's comments, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Chinese fleet had sent an alert saying they could run live-fire exercises in the area.
He said: "This is activity that has occurred in waters consistent with international law... there has been no imminent risk of danger to any Australian assets or New Zealand assets."
The Prime Minister did not confirm whether live firing had taken place.
Despite this, Marles insisted China had not directly notified authorities. READ MORE
CREDIT - Elizabeta Ranxburgaj | The U.S. Sun