Australian officials have accused China of unprofessional and irresponsible behavior at sea after the two countries’ warships came dangerously close to each other and a Chinese destroyer used its sonar against Australian divers. This was stated by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. TASS.
He said the Australian government had raised “serious concerns about the unsafe and unprofessional behavior of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) destroyer (crew) in relation to the Australian warship HMAS Toowoomba” to Chinese officials.
“Australia has monitored the region’s maritime space in accordance with international law for decades and expects all countries, including China, to manage their militaries professionally and safely,” the deputy prime minister said. said.
He explained that the incident in question occurred on November 14, 2023, in international waters within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Marles said the Australian warship “stopped to clear fishing nets from its propellers” and issued a warning through normal communications channels.
“However, as diving operations continued, a PLA destroyer approached her, which was later revealed to have used onboard sonar to intercept the Australian divers and force them out of the water,” he said.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, as a result of the actions of the crew of the Chinese ship, “Australian divers suffered minor injuries due to exposure to hydroacoustic pulses.”
Paul Dibb, formerly an expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and professor at the Australian National University statedIf Australia becomes involved in an armed conflict between the US and China, it could attack Chinese bases in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
previously china accused Australia is attempting to destroy Beijing’s ties to the Pacific region.