Australia slams China over 'unsafe, unprofessional' behaviour by PLA

Following a “unsafe and unprofessional” encounter between an Australian naval vessel and a Chinese warship that resulted in injuries to Australian military divers, the Australian government announced on Saturday that it had sent significant concerns to China. The incident happened on November 14, while the long-range frigate HMAS Toowoomba was diving in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone to remove fishing nets from its propellers, according to Defence Minister Richard Marles. “While diving operations were underway a PLA-N destroyer (DDG-139) operating in the vicinity closed towards HMAS Toowoomba,” Marles said in a statement, referring to a ship of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. “Soon after, it was detected operating its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a risk to the safety of the Australian divers who were forced to exit the water.” A request for response from the Chinese embassy in Australia was not immediately answered. According to the defence minister, medical evaluations revealed that the divers’ minor injuries were probably brought on by the destroyer’s sonar. “Australia expects all nations, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner,” Marles stated, stressing that the government’s “utmost priority” was ensuring the security and well-being of Australian service members. China has become a more active force in the Indo-Pacific area in recent years; in July, it upgraded security ties with the Solomon Islands. In response to China’s increasing regional influence, Australia, a strong friend of the United States, held two weeks of war simulations with the U.S. involving over 30,000 troops earlier this year. (With agency inputs)