New Zealand's foreign minister said he had raised concerns over China's recent live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea during meetings with Chinese leaders on Wednesday.

In this photo released by, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, listens to New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters' speech during a bilateral meeting in

The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty. A range of deals Prime Minister Mark Brown signed with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which the Cooks is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.

China's ambassador to Australia said on Friday his country had no reason to apologise for the military drills it conducted in international waters between Australia and New Zealand that forced at least 49 flights to change path.

Recent live-fire drills by the Chinese navy in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand, were "totally in line with international law", a spokesperson of its defence ministry said on Thursday.

China's naval exercise in the Tasman Sea has put Australia and New Zealand on alert, with Canberra calling it "unusual".

The drills, conducted near a busy air corridor, have prompted both countries to enhance surveillance and collaborate with allies.

New Zealand's foreign minister was meeting senior officials in China on Wednesday, just days after both his government and Australia said that Chinese warships should have given more warning before conducting live-fire exercises in waters between their countries.

Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown speaks during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs (Reuters) - Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown survived on Wednesday a vote of no confidence in parliament brought by the opposition over deals he struck with China that strained relations with New Zealand.

One can agree that, in military terms, none of these mid-table teams can match enormous countries such as the US, China or perhaps Russia. Equally, some smaller nations such as New Zealand or Singapore may be economically more nimble and efficient.

Nearly all the Asia Pacific equities, but Australia and New Zealand rallied, led by Hong Kong's Hang Seng and the index of mainland shares that trade there. Click to read.

Commercial pilots were forced to divert from their routes when the Chinese navy gave minimal warning of a live fire exercise in the waters between Australia and New Zealand. The Albanese government wants an explanation from Beijing.