Sailing in Australia’s exclusive economic zone, the three vessels were not breaking international law, but they were unusually far south on an undeclared mission.

Australian officials said the ships were “off the east coast of Australia” and their presence there was unusual.

Chinese warships conducting unusual exercises near Tasmania are armed with “extremely capable” long-range ballistic missiles, New Zealand’s defence minister warned...

The vessels were sailing in the Tasman Sea, and their announced intent to perform exercises prompted a call for commercial flights to divert course.

Australia learned about Chinese live-fire naval drills off the country’s coast that forced dozens of flights to be diverted via an alert from a commercial pilot, authorities said on Monday.

China's military failed to inform the Australian Defence Force it would be conducting "irresponsible" live-fire drills, which posed a risk to civilian aircraft.

Dozens of commercial flights had to change course last week when they were surprised by Chinese naval drills off the coast of Australia. But China said its navy repeatedly issued notices.Some 49 commercial flights were forced to change course last Friday when Chinese warships unexpectedly announced naval drills off the eastern coast of Australia,

New Zealand raised fresh concerns Monday over nearby live-fire drills conducted by Chinese warships armed with “extremely capable” weapons, an unprecedented show of firepower last week that analysts say are part of Beijing’s ongoing plan to build a blue-water navy with global reach.

Strategic Analysis Australia’s Michael Shoebridge claims Australians should be “very worried” about the Chinese warships conducting live fire testing off the coast of Australia.