Exclusive: Newly released audio has revealed how Australian air traffic controllers and flights in the area reacted when a pilot discovered China was conducting live-fire naval drills in the Tasman Sea earlier this year.

The calls, obtained by 9News under freedom of information laws, for the first time shed light on the moment the alarm was raised by a Virgin Australia pilot about the exercises in February, before any Australian authorities were aware of their existence.

“We just had a warning from a Chinese naval taskforce that they’re doing a live firing exercise… is anyone aware of that?” he asked.

Australia’s HMAS Arunta, left, shadows the People’s Liberation Army-Navy flotilla in the Tasman Sea earlier this year. (Australian Defence Force via AP)

Air traffic control confirmed that no notice of the drills had been provided, and asked the pilot if the Chinese flotilla had advised what altitude it would be firing to.

“Negative,” the pilot replied. 

“Just in that 10-mile radius of that position, that was it.”

There was then a moment of levity between the pilot and air controller.

“So if we go missing, you’ll know what happened, hey?” the pilot said.

“Good luck,” the controller replied with a chuckle.

While the Virgin plane was outside the 10-mile danger zone, a nearby Emirates flight was far closer to the Chinese flotilla, and had to be warned by air control.

“The information I’ve received: a Chinese warship is… commencing live firing,” the controller said.

A Virgin pilot was the first person to alert Australian authorities to China’s live-fire drills. (Glenn Hunt)

“You will essentially fly right over the top of that position.”

The Emirates jet was quickly diverted to the south of the flotilla – one of 49 flights forced to change course due to the military drills.

Another flight caught up in the incident was operated by Qantas, with its pilot asking how high the missiles would be flying.

Air traffic control didn’t know the answer, but the Emirates pilot had learnt the Chinese ships would be firing up to an altitude of 15 kilometres – higher than what commercial jets fly at.

As the drills were conducted in international waters between Australia and New Zealand, China was under no legal obligation to notify either country of its activities.

However, the federal government has sought reassurances from Beijing that it will receive proper notice of any future exercises.

“I said what I said at the time,” Albanese said following that summit.

“It was within international law, there was no breach of international law by China, but that we were concerned about the notice and the way that it happened, including the live-fire exercises.”