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

China’s ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has asserted Beijing has done nothing wrong over its live fire drills in the Tasman Sea, urging “there should be no over-reading into this”, and delcaring China had nothing to apologise for.

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

The defence ministry has hit back at Australia’s response to its naval exercises off the east coast, labelling Canberra’s protests as “unreasonable”.

Chinese naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand caused dozens of flight diversions.

A series of unexpected live-fire drills by Chinese naval vessels in the Tasman Sea has sparked criticism from Australia and New Zealand and raised questions over regional security. The exercises were conducted by a trio of warships in the international waters beneath a busy commercial flight path,