New Zealand Foreign Minister to Question Chinese Naval Activity in Beijing Visit

By Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose

WELLINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters will touch down in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day visit as relations between the two countries are strained after Chinese Navy vessels conducted live firing exercises in the Tasman Sea.

New Zealand and Australia officials said that China had conducted live-fire exercises in international waters between the two nations, giving little notice and forcing commercial airlines to divert flights. The three ships are currently around 280 nautical miles (519 km) east of Tasmania, outside of Australia’s exclusive economic zone, the New Zealand Defence Force said on Monday.

New Zealand …