China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has stated that there is no need for China to apologize for the manner in which it notified Australia about its live-fire naval drills off the Australian coast. According to Xiao, the drills, which took place last Friday and Saturday, posed no threat to Australia and followed standard international practice. He also emphasized that China and Australia are “comprehensive strategic partners” and there has been no over-interpretation of the drills.

A readout of an interview with Xiao, published on the Chinese embassy’s website, stated that the term “partner” indicates that the two countries are friends, not foes or rivals and that China has always regarded Australia as an important partner, so there is no need for Australia to feel concerned about China’s actions.

Australian defense officials had earlier informed Senate estimates that the first they knew about the drills was when a civilian Virgin pilot heard a warning broadcast by the ships, which were 340 nautical miles off the NSW south coast. This was before a similar notification was received from a New Zealand naval vessel shadowing the Chinese fleet.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the Chinese navy’s notification of the drills was insufficient, given the potential danger and disruption to commercial aviation, nearly 50 flights were diverted. She had expressed her concerns to her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, over the conduct of the drills.

However, Xiao rejected these allegations, stating that international law is silent about the precise timing and nature of advance warning on naval exercises. He claimed there is no reason for China to feel sorry or even consider apologizing. Both countries have confirmed that the drills were conducted in international waters, in accordance with international law.

A three-ship Chinese naval flotilla consisting of a Jiangkai-class frigate, a Renhai-class cruiser and a Fuchi-class replenishment vessel sailed down the Australian coast before conducting live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea. The ships are reportedly accompanied by a nuclear submarine, though undetected. Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles called for calm, pointing out that there was a higher frequency of Australian naval vessels close to China’s shores than there were Chinese vessels close to Australia.

Xiao also dismissed any link between the naval drills and an earlier incident between Chinese and Australian aircraft in the South China Sea. On February 11th, a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft released flares near an Australian P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft which China deemed as a violation of its airspace. Xiao stated that the matter with the aircraft was entirely different from the naval drills, which took place in international waters and complied with international law.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/28/no-reason-for-china-to-apologise-to-australia-for-live-fire-drills-ambassador-says