China hits back at Australia’s 'hyped up' response to navy drill
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The news: China has criticised Australia’s response to naval exercises taking place off the east coast late last week, saying Australia’s complaints were “hyped up” and “inconsistent with the facts.”
The context: China’s Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said that Australia’s response to China’s live-fire naval drills by three warships in international waters between Australia and New Zealand were “completely unfounded.”
On Saturday, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had said that Beijing failed to give satisfactory reasons for giving insufficient notice for the live-fire drills, which forced commercial airlines to divert flights around the area.
Wu said that Australia had been given repeated safety notices issued in advance of the drills, and that the actions were entirely in accordance with international law and established practices.
"Despite being fully aware of the fact, Australia has unjustly criticised China and deliberately exaggerated the issue, and we are astonished and strongly dissatisfied with this," Wu said.
The source: China Ministry of Defense release
