Australia sonar accusation: China urges Australia against ‘irresponsible accusations’ over naval sonar claim

Beijing on Monday warned Canberra towards making “reckless and irresponsible accusations towards China” after Australia mentioned sonar pulses emitted by a Chinese language warship “doubtless” injured its navy divers.

“We urge the Australian facet to respect the information, cease making reckless and irresponsible accusations towards China,” defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian mentioned, including China “didn’t have interaction in any actions that will have affected the Australian divers”.

Canberra accused Beijing over the weekend of “unsafe and unprofessional” conduct at sea across the HMAS Toowoomba, a long-range frigate that had been supporting United Nations sanctions enforcement efforts inside Japan’s unique financial zone.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles mentioned divers had been clearing fishing nets from the ship’s propeller when the vessel was approached by a Chinese language destroyer that “doubtless” injured quite a lot of servicemen with its hull-mounted sonar.

Wu mentioned the Australian model of occasions was “utterly inconsistent with the information”, including China “firmly opposes this and has made solemn representations to the Australian facet”.

“The Chinese language army’s ‘Ningbo’ destroyer took measures corresponding to monitoring, monitoring, identification, and verification in accordance with the legislation and rules,” Wu mentioned.

‘Strict self-discipline’

Earlier on Monday, Beijing’s international ministry additionally defended the conduct of the Chinese language army, saying it was according to worldwide legislation.

“It’s hoped that related events will cease inflicting bother at China’s doorstep and work with China to take care of momentum for bettering and growing China-Australia relations,” ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning instructed an everyday press convention.

China and Australia have been working to patch up their once-close buying and selling relationship after years of bickering and tit-for-tat reprisals.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a breakthrough journey to Beijing earlier this month, hailing the progress as “unquestionably very constructive”.

However tensions stay in relation to safety, as Australia attracts nearer to the US in an effort to blunt China’s increasing affect within the Asia-Pacific area.

The Diving Medical Advisory Committee, an unbiased London-based organisation, has warned that sonar sound waves may cause divers to undergo dizziness, listening to harm and organ harm.

The HMAS Toowoomba — commissioned in 2005 — is a long-range frigate filled with superior surveillance capabilities and “world class” weapons techniques, in response to the Australian navy.