Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement on Saturday that Australian divers on the frigate HMAS Toowoomba were trying to remove fishing nets from the propeller on November 14 when a Chinese vessel approached.
Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Toowoomba. Photo: Reuters
Despite being warned that a diving operation was underway, the Chinese destroyer operated its sonar in a manner that “put the safety of the Australian divers at risk, who were subsequently forced to leave the area,” the statement said. Medical assessments showed the divers suffered only minor injuries, it added.
In an interview with Sky News on Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “very concerned” about the incident, adding that “one person has been injured as a result of China’s actions.”
Asked about the incident at a regular press briefing on Monday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the Chinese military “has always been highly disciplined” and “has always operated professionally on the basis of international law and international practice.”
“We hope relevant parties can stop stirring up trouble on China’s doorstep and work with China to jointly safeguard the momentum of improving China-Australia relations,” spokesman Mao Ning said.
The incident comes a week after Mr Albanese made a landmark visit to Beijing - the first by an Australian leader in seven years - aimed at stabilising years of strained relations between the two countries.
Hoang Anh (according to CNN, Sky News)
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