Albanese accuses Chinese navy of provocative conduct
Australian PM Albanese accuses Chinese navy of dangerous & unprofessional conduct in international waters near Japan, straining relations after his recent visit to Beijing
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has leveled accusations against the Chinese navy, characterizing their behavior as dangerous, unsafe, and unprofessional following an incident in international waters near Japan. This incident has the potential to create tension with Beijing, occurring just weeks after his visit to the Chinese capital with the intention of stabilizing relations.
According to Defense Minister Richard Marles' statement on Saturday, Australian divers aboard the long-range frigate HMAS Toowoomba were engaged in the task of removing fishing nets from its propellers on November 14 when a Chinese destroyer approached the area.
The Chinese destroyer disregarded the warning about the ongoing diving operation and operated its sonar in a manner that jeopardized the safety of the Australian divers, compelling them to exit the water. The statement further stated that medical evaluations revealed that the divers had suffered only minor injuries.
In an interview with CNN affiliate Sky News on Monday, Albanese expressed his deep concern over the incident, stating that an individual had suffered an injury due to actions taken by China. However, Albanese did not disclose whether he had discussed the incident with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during their meeting at the APEC summit in San Fransisco last Thursday.
"We raised these concerns in a clear and unambiguous manner, ensuring that there is no ambiguity regarding Australia's stance on this matter," he asserted.
When questioned about the incident during a routine press conference on Monday, a representative from the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the Chinese military has consistently demonstrated high discipline and professional conduct in accordance with international law and practices.
"We urge the relevant parties to cease creating disruptions at China's doorstep and collaborate with China to collectively uphold the progress and enhancement of China-Australia relations," stated spokesperson Mao Ning.
CNN has contacted China's Defense Ministry for a response.
The incident occurred one week after Albanese's significant visit to Beijing, which marked the first trip by an Australian leader in seven years. The purpose of the visit was to mend strained bilateral relations resulting from years of economic tension.
During the Sky News interview, Albanese skillfully avoided directly addressing whether the incident would negatively impact the stability of bilateral relations.
"We have clearly conveyed our disagreement with China's actions during my time in China. Our stance remains the same: we are open to collaboration in areas of mutual interest but will assert our objections when necessary. This particular incident is one of those instances where we strongly disapprove of China's actions. It is our firm belief that such events should be prevented from happening in the future."
Unsafe and unprofessional interaction
The divers were found to have minor injuries, which were likely caused by the sonar pulses from the Chinese destroyer, according to medical assessments.
Sonar is used by military ships to locate and identify objects in the water. Divers who are exposed to high levels of underwater sound can experience dizziness, hearing damage, or other injuries to their sensitive organs, depending on the frequency and intensity of the sound, as stated by the London-based Diving Medical Advisory Committee.
The HMAS Toowoomba had been operating in Japan's exclusive economic zone to support United Nations sanctions enforcement and was on its way to Japan for a planned port visit, as stated by Marles.
Marles highlighted that Australia expects all countries, including China, to ensure professionalism and safety in their military operations.
China's navy and air forces have faced allegations from the US and Canadian militaries regarding their unsafe practices during numerous close encounters in the East and South China seas in recent months.
Earlier this month, the Canadian military accused a Chinese warplane of indiscriminately launching flares in front of its helicopter in the international waters of the South China Sea on October 29. They deemed this to be a dangerous act that had the potential to bring down the aircraft.
China, in turn, placed the blame on Canada for engaging in "malicious and provocative" actions in the South China Sea.
Ray Powell, the director of SeaLight at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, expressed uncertainty about the origin of the order to use sonar. He noted that it may have come from commanders in Beijing or even from the Chinese destroyer captain. Powell finds both possibilities concerning, as the first would suggest dishonesty at high-ranking levels, while the latter would reveal a deceitful military culture. As a former US Air Force officer, Powell's perspective carries weight.
Powell commented that if the roles were reversed, it is evident that an Australian naval commander engaging in a similar action would face severe consequences, potentially being relieved of command or worse. However, there is a widespread disbelief that Beijing is considering any such measures, according to Powell. Reporting contributed by CNN's Wayne Chang.
