The Australian Prime Minister has condemned the actions of the Chinese navy as “unsafe, dangerous, and unprofessional” following an incident near Japan in international waters, potentially escalating tensions with Beijing just weeks after his visit aimed at stabilizing relations.
Reports suggest that Australian divers aboard the HMAS Toowoomba, a long-range frigate, were working to clear fishing nets from its propellers on November 14 when a Chinese destroyer approached, as per Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Despite warnings about the ongoing diving operation, the Chinese destroyer continued using sonar in a manner that endangered the safety of the Australian divers, prompting them to exit the water due to potential risks, stated the official report.
Minor injuries were reported among the divers after medical assessments were conducted in the aftermath.
Speaking to Sky News, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed deep concern about the incident, highlighting that “one person suffered an injury as a result of the actions of China.” However, he declined to confirm whether this was raised during his recent meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit.
“We addressed these concerns unequivocally, ensuring there’s no misunderstanding about Australia’s stance,” Albanese stated.
When asked about the incident at a regular news briefing, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated their military’s adherence to international law and practices, urging all relevant parties to halt provocations and collaborate for better relations.
The incident occurred just a week after Albanese’s pivotal visit to Beijing aimed at mending strained ties between the nations after years of economic tension.
Albanese emphasized the need for cooperation where possible but noted areas of disagreement, asserting that such actions by China were unacceptable and shouldn’t have happened.
The Australian government has formally communicated its apprehensions to China, characterizing the incident as an “unsafe and unprofessional” interaction with a PLA Navy destroyer.
The statement highlighted the minor injuries sustained by the divers, likely due to exposure to sonar pulses from the Chinese destroyer.
Australia stressed its expectation for all nations, including China, to operate their military forces safely and professionally, aligning with international laws regarding freedom of navigation in international waters.
This encounter adds to a series of instances where China’s navy and air forces have faced criticism for unsafe practices in various regions, including close encounters with US and Canadian militaries in the East and South China Seas.
Analysts suggest that the nature of the order to use sonar remains unclear—whether it was issued by high-ranking officials or at a lower level, reflecting either a concerning dishonesty at senior levels or a problematic military culture within the Chinese forces. Such actions, if conducted by an Australian naval commander, would likely result in serious consequences, highlighting a significant discrepancy in response protocols.
