New Zealand: Chinese Navy holds second live-fire drill in international waters

New Zealand said the Chinese Navy conducted a live-fire exercise in international waters near the Pacific nation on Saturday, a day after it held a similar drill between Australia and New Zealand that forced airlines to divert flights.

"Reporting from the New Zealand Defence Force that the Chinese naval Task Group has advised of a second window for live firing activity, on Saturday afternoon," a spokesperson for Defence Minister Judith Collins said in a statement.

Personnel on New Zealand Navy frigate Te Kaha observed live rounds fired from a Chinese vessel's main gun, the statement said, adding that the task group had "advised via radio channels of its intent to conduct live firing".

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said earlier on Saturday that it was unclear where the Chinese naval vessels were headed in international waters and for what purpose.

"What we are doing is monitoring and shadowing and tracking the fleet," he said in Christchurch, adding that China was acting in accordance with international law.

Saturday's live-fire drill took place in the Tasman Sea, broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.

On Friday, airlines including Qantas, Emirates and Air New Zealand had to modify flight paths between Australia and New Zealand after China broadcast a message that its navy would hold live-fire exercises in international waters off Australia's New South Wales state coast.

Australia's defence force said there was no imminent risk of danger to Australian or New Zealand assets, the government said on Friday.

Friday's exercise took place after a People's Liberation Army Navy frigate, cruiser and replenishment vessel entered Australia's maritime approaches last week, and travelled down Australia's east coast this week, monitored by the navies and air forces of Australia and New Zealand.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by William Mallard and Tom Hogue)