The appearance of three Chinese warships so close to our borders has surprised and confused Australian and New Zealand officials.

The ships issued a live-fire warning off Australia’s east coast – forcing commercial flights to change course.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, sailors on a New Zealand Navy frigate saw live rounds being fired from a Chinese vessel's main gun.

Beijing’s now under scrutiny for not warning Australia or New Zealand of drills being performed in the Tasman Sea.

All this comes as tensions between New Zealand and our pacific neighbours are at an all time high.

Today on The Front Page, Waikato University’s Al Gillespie updates us on what’s going on.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

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