Australia accuses China of using sonar pulse to injure naval divers, Beijing denies

Asia-Pacific, News November 20, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Australia has accused China’s naval forces of using sonar pulses against its naval divers. The incident was reported by the Australian Defense Ministry, which reported that sonar pulse by Chinese destroyer Ningbo resulted in Australian divers suffering injuries.

The reported incident occurred last week in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. According to the Australian Defense Ministry, the Australian Navy’s HMAS Toowoomba was conducting operations in support of UN sanctions enforcement when its divers were allegedly blasted with sonar pulses from a nearby Chinese warship.

Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles said that a Chinese warship resorted to “unsafe and unprofessional” actions during the encounter off the coast of Japan. He reported that a Chinese warship came close to the Australian frigate at a time when the naval divers were clearing fishing nets from the frigate’s propellors. The Chinese ship then emitted dangerous sonar pulses that injured the divers, he said.

Marles added that the actions by the Chinese naval warship posed “a risk to the safety of the Australian divers, who were forced to exit the water.” He said, “Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner.”

The statement also said that the Australian frigate was posing no threats as it was conducting usual diving operations. The statement added that the frigate had communicated its intention through normal maritime channels, and using internationally recognized signals.

^{This aerial photo taken on January 2, 2017, shows a Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (center), during military drills in the South China Sea. (Image Credit: STR/AFP/via Twitter)}

China denies allegations

China has called Australia’s complaint over a dangerous incident between two warships “vague and one-sided”. China’s state-controlled media outlet issued Beijing’s reaction to the incident, accusing Canberra of attempting to “hype the China threat theory”.

There was an official reaction released by the Chinese Navy or its defense officials, but the media report questioned Australian allegations through experts and analysts. It said that the vague location of the incident raises questions about Canberra’s claims.

Australian Prime Minister faces domestic pressure

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized China for the “dangerous” encounter, however, he declined to say whether he had raised the issue in recent talks with President Xi Jinping.

The incident took place at a time when the Australian Prime Minister was in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco. Following his bilateral meeting with the Chinese President at the sidelines of the summit, Albanese said that his discussions with Xi were private, rather than a formal meeting in which content summaries are made public.

Australian Prime Minister with Chinese President — *^{Chinese President Xi Jinping greets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 6, 2023. (Image Credit: Australian Prime Minister‘s Office)}*

Albanese is facing domestic pressure from the opposition leaders over whether he raised the matter with the Chinese leader. Opposition lawmakers have accused him of failing to raise the encounter with Xi because the Australian leader did not want to risk setting back an improving bilateral relationship.

“More weak leadership from Anthony Albanese who appears to be prioritizing photo ops with Xi Jinping over speaking up for our people. Disgraceful,” senior Opposition lawmaker Sussan Ley said in a tweet.