The far seas exercise of a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fleet was conducted in accordance with relevant international law and international practice, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.
Guo made the statement in response to a media query after Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, also on Friday, voiced concern over live-fire drills conducted by three Chinese warships sailing off the east coast of Australia.
The Defense Department of Australia had been monitoring the Chinese navy vessels since they were spotted in international waters last week.
"A Chinese fleet organized by the PLA Southern Theater Command is conducting far seas exercise. The drill was carried out in a safe, standard and professional manner and in accordance with relevant international law and international practice," said the spokesman.
PLA's sea drill accords with int'l law, practice: spokesman
PLA's sea drill accords with int'l law, practice: spokesman
