Australia is exposed to a hostile China on trade and to a buccaneering US on security. Our complacency has left us near-naked.

The People's Republic of China has conducted naval exercises with live firing. Australia complained that this forced airlines to change flight routes, but Beijing denied any impact on security, Reuters reports.

Australia's defense forces, joined by New Zealand, have been monitoring Chinese navy vessels since they were spotted last week.

WELLINGTON (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.