China Unapologetic After Live Firing Drills off Australian Coast

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang was spotted 150 nautical miles off the coast of Sydney. Image via the Australia Defense Force

Beijing’s ambassador to Canberra said Friday he would not apologize for surprise Chinese naval drills near Australia that forced dozens of commercial flights to change course.

Some 49 flights were forced to divert last week when three Chinese warships announced live firing drills underneath a busy flight path halfway between Australia and New Zealand.

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