New Zealand has defended a recent military patrol flight after China accused it of undermining national security and disrupting regional stability.

China is deploying more than 100 naval and coast guard vessels across East Asian waters, marking its largest maritime show of force to date, sources told Reuters. The fleet spans the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, and parts of the Pacific.

Japan and China are exchanging accusations over airspace violations near East China Sea islands controlled by Japan but also claimed by Beijing.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said its ground force on Wednesday conducted long-range live-fire drills in waters of the East China Sea according to training plans of the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercise.

Japan and China did not use a defense hotline during a recent alleged airspace breach, Japanese media claimed in a report Wednesday.