The vessels were sailing in the Tasman Sea, and their announced intent to perform exercises prompted a call for commercial flights to divert course.

Australian officials said the ships were “off the east coast of Australia” and their presence there was unusual.

The Australian and New Zealand militaries are monitoring three Chinese warships that are moving unusually far south along Australia’s east coast on an unknown mission

Australia says it detected no live firing from Chinese naval ships off its east coast, despite the vessels broadcasting a warning that forced commercial flights to detour. The Chinese ships broadcast a verbal live fire warning Friday that was picked up by commercial planes over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand,

Australia and New Zealand are monitoring a group of Chinese naval vessels spotted in international waters near Sydney, the countries’ defence ministers said on Thursday. Three Chinese vessels are traveling down the eastern coast of Australia,