MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities in Australia have issued a warning to international airlines operating flights between Australia and New Zealand regarding the presence of Chinese warships conducting live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea, as stated by Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday.

Wong confirmed that Airservices Australia, the nation’s aviation regulator, had alerted commercial pilots to exercise caution in the airspace between the two countries due to the ongoing military exercises involving three Chinese warships near the eastern coast of Australia.

As a result of this situation, there have been reports of several international flights being rerouted, according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“It is standard protocol for a task group engaged in military drills to provide warnings to vessels and aircraft in the vicinity,” Wong explained during her statement to ABC, adding that Airservices Australia is fulfilling its responsibility to issue such advisories.

Additionally, the Australian government is in discussions with Chinese officials to ensure improved notification and transparency concerning naval exercises, especially those involving live-fire activities, Wong noted.

For several days, Australian military vessels and aircraft have been keeping a close watch on the Chinese warships as they transit through international waters along Australia’s eastern coastline.