Chinese spy ship's presence 'concerning' but it didn't breach law of the sea: Australia

SydneyEdited By: Manas JoshiUpdated: May 14, 2022, 09:35 AM IST

FILE PHOTO: The Peoples Liberation Army-Navy's (PLA-N) Intelligence Collection Vessel Haiwangxing is pictured operating near the coast of Australia in this handout image released May 13, 2022. Photograph:(Reuters)

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The Chinese spy ship had come within 50 nautical miles of an Australian naval facility

Australia said on Saturday that a Chinese intelligence ship that came within 50 nautical miles of a defence facility on Australia's west coast did not breach international maritime laws. The Chinese ship was tracked by Australia over the past week.

The ship sailed past Harold E Holt naval communications station at Exmouth, in Western Australia. This naval facility is used by Australian, US and allied submarines.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday the Chinese navy vessel was not in Australian territorial waters but its presence was "concerning", amid an election campaign where China's behaviour in the region has been centre stage.

The question of a national security threat posed by China, including its expanding influence in the Pacific, has been a major theme in the campaign for the May 21 general election.

Asked on Saturday about whether the vessel's conduct was a "red line", Morrison said freedom of navigation was permitted around the world and the ship had not broken maritime laws.

"International law of the sea has not been breached," he told reporters on the campaign trail in Melbourne. But he said the issue highlighted challenges Australia faced from China "seeking to impose its will across the region".

Anthony Albanese, Leader of the opposition Labour Party said that he shared the government's concerns about the vessel and had sought a briefing.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said this week that he considered the vessel's movement "an act of aggression" for travelling so far south.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, asked about Dutton's comments on Friday, said he was not aware of specifics but that China always abided by international law and urged Australian politicians to "refrain from alarmism".

China's embassy in Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

Relations between Australia and China, major trading partners, have been strained recently over growing Chinese influence in the Solomon Islands, after the small Pacific island nation signed a security pact with China.

(With inputs from agencies)