Here’s why Chinese warships near Australia and New Zealand have prompted alarm

Leaders in Australia and New Zealand say China should have given them more warning before its navy conducted an unusual series of live fire exercises in the seas between the two countries, forcing flights to divert on short notice. The drills by three naval ships happened in international waters beneath a busy commercial flight path over the Tasman Sea on Friday and Saturday, and at least once involved live fire. There’s no suggestion China broke any laws, but analysts say the episode highlights escalating regional tensions over China’s influence.

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