China says it need not say sorry over live firing off Australia

China doesn't even need to "think" about apologising over the way it notified Australia about live-fire naval drills off the Australian coast, the country's ambassador said.

- Ben Doherty Sydney

Xiao Qian told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the drills last Friday and Saturday posed "no threat" to Australia and were "a normal kind of practice for many navies".

He said the notification of the drills had followed normal international practice, despite Australian authorities first becoming aware of them after they had begun, from a passing Virgin pilot.

"There should be no over-reading into this," the ambassador said, insisting Australia and China were "comprehensive strategic partners".