Australian officials have criticized China for what they describe as unprofessional and unsafe conduct at sea after two warships came uncomfortably close and a Chinese destroyer reportedly used its sonar against Australian divers. This assessment comes from Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who conveyed the concerns to Chinese officials on behalf of the Australian government.
Marles stated that Canberra has voiced serious worries about the unsafe and unprofessional behavior displayed by the People’s Liberation Army destroyer crew in relation to the Australian warship HMAS Toowoomba. He emphasized that Australia has long monitored maritime space around the region in line with international law and expects all parties, including China, to operate their militaries with professionalism and safety.
He outlined that the incident occurred on November 14, 2023, in international waters within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The Australian warship had paused to clear fishing nets from its propellers and had issued a standard warning through established communications channels. Despite these precautions, the PLA destroyer reportedly approached the Toowoomba while diving operations were continuing, and it was later disclosed that the Chinese vessel used onboard sonar to monitor the Australian divers and to compel them out of the water.
Marles noted that the actions of the Chinese crew led to minor injuries among the Australian divers, who suffered from exposure to hydroacoustic pulses during the incident. The deputy prime minister underscored that such outcomes are not acceptable and argued that they warrant a careful and measured response from the international community to ensure maritime safety and restraint in future encounters.
Analysts in Australia have weighed in on broader implications, suggesting that the incident reflects ongoing tensions in the region and highlights the fragility of near-term maritime operations involving major powers. Paul Dibb, a former adviser at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and a professor at the Australian National University, has offered a sober assessment about potential consequences if Australia were to become involved in a wider confrontation between the United States and China. Dibb indicated that in the event of broader hostilities, Australia might consider retaliatory measures against strategic targets in the South China Sea and the broader Pacific theater, a scenario that policymakers repeatedly caution against, given the potential to escalate quickly and draw in multiple allies and regional actors. These considerations are part of a wider debate about defense posture, crisis management, and alliance commitments in the Indo-Pacific region.
Officials in China have previously countered Australian positions, arguing that Canberra may be attempting to undermine Beijing’s relationships across the Pacific. The exchanges illustrate the ongoing strategic friction between Canberra and Beijing, whom Australia has sought to engage with on a broad set of regional interests while also maintaining a disciplined stance on freedom of navigation and maritime safety. The incident, in its gravity and the details that have emerged, is seen by observers as a reminder of the delicate balance required when naval operations intersect with diplomatic channels and international law.
As both sides assess the incident, experts call for transparent investigations and continued deconfliction efforts to prevent miscalculations during complex maritime patrols. The goal remains clear: to preserve safe and predictable conduct at sea, uphold the integrity of international waters, and ensure that naval exercises do not unintentionally escalate tensions among major regional actors.
In the broader context, the episode contributes to the ongoing dialogue about security arrangements in the Indo-Pacific, where interlinked interests demand careful handling of maritime disputes, adherence to established rules, and a commitment to diplomatic channels even amid heightened strategic rivalry. The international community watches closely as governments map out responses designed to reduce risk, protect sailors, and sustain open sea lanes for commerce and peaceful navigation.
Sources of information include official statements from Australian authorities detailing the timeline and nature of the encounter, along with analyses from defense and policy experts who assess potential strategic repercussions for Australia and its allies in the region. Attribution is provided to the respective officials and researchers who have commented on the incident and its possible implications for regional security strategies and international maritime law.