Chinese ambassador says live fire exercise off Australian coast was 'gesture of friendliness'

Beijing's man in Canberra ambassador Xiao Qian says the recent visit by Chinese warships wasn't an act of aggression, but rather a "gesture of friendliness". Chinese warships stalked Australia's coast for about three weeks, ending last week when they skirted Perth from a distance of about 314km before moving north towards Indonesia on Friday. But Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian insisted the unannounced live fire drills were nothing to worry about. Camera Icon Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian Credit: LUKAS COCH / AAPIMAGE "It is a gesture of friendliness that we are doing something here and please don't…