China says it is \”normal\” for major powers to send their naval assets worldwide. Australia confirms that three Chinese warships re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone after completing live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea. New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins on Monday alerted Australia that the Chinese vessels near its region are carrying weapons that could make their way to Australia. The Australian Defence Minister stated that Australia is working with New Zealand and other partners in the region to surveil the Chinese warships. The ministry said that it continues to monitor the Chinese Task Group while it remains in the vicinity of Australia’s maritime approaches. The Chinese Ambassador refused to comment on whether the deployment of Chinese warships in Australia was intended to send signals to the country to cease conducting freedom of navigation exercises in the disputed South China Sea. He said that there was no reason for China to apologise for last week’s live drill exercises, which led to the diversion of several commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
