On 28 February the Chinese Defence Ministry published the following media on-line article:
In response to four questions raised by journalists on the recent exercises by Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warships in international waters near Australia and New Zealand, including the two countries’ claims that China did not notify them in time, a PLA spokesperson on Thursday reiterated that the PLA-N task group’s activities completely conform to international law. He responded by asking if Australia would send notifications in advance when it conducts military operations near China.
