China’s defence ministry dismissed Australia’s complaints over Chinese naval drills between Australia and New Zealand, calling them "hyped up" and "inconsistent with the facts."
China’s defence ministry spokesperson Wu Qian stated on Sunday that Australia’s concerns over recent live-fire naval drills in international waters were exaggerated and not based on facts.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had criticised Beijing on Saturday, saying it failed to provide sufficient notice for the drills, which led to airlines diverting flights. However, Qian asserted that China had issued multiple safety warnings in advance and complied with international law.
"Australia, fully knowing this, made unreasonable accusations against China and deliberately hyped it up," Qian said in a defence ministry statement, adding that Beijing was "deeply surprised and strongly dissatisfied."
New Zealand also reported monitoring the exercises, observing a second day of live-fire drills on Saturday as a Chinese naval fleet operated in the region.
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