A visiting Chinese language official has warned Australia to behave with “nice prudence” in deploying warships within the South China Sea after a latest confrontation between the 2 navies
ByROD MCGUIRK Related Press
November 28, 2023, 5:46 AM
Liu Jianchao, proper, Minister of the Worldwide Division of the Central Committee of the Communist Celebration of China, walks with the Chinese language ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian forward of his tackle at College of Know-how Sydney, in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photograph/Mark Baker)
The Related Press
CANBERRA, Australia — A visiting Chinese language official on Tuesday warned Australia to behave with “nice prudence” in deploying warships within the South China Sea after a latest confrontation between the 2 navies.
Liu Jianchao, the Chinese language Communist Celebration’s worldwide minister, gave the warning whereas talking at a Sydney college throughout a visit that paves the way in which for President Xi Jinping’s Australian go to, anticipated to happen subsequent yr.
Bilateral relations had been bettering just lately, however took a downturn when Australia accused the Chinese language destroyer CNS Ningbo of injuring Australian navy divers with sonar pulses in Japanese waters on Nov. 14. Australia stated China disregarded a security warning to avoid the Australian frigate HMAS Toowoomba.
Liu reiterated China’s place that the encounter occurred exterior Japanese territorial waters and that the Chinese language warship induced no hurt.
“We do urge the Australian authorities and in addition the army to behave with nice prudence on this space,” Liu stated on the College of Know-how Sydney.
“Such a small incident may actually escalate if it’s not correctly managed,” he added.
The Toowoomba went on to additional antagonize Beijing by passing southward from Japan by way of the contested Taiwan Strait final week.
Liu stated Australia was making a press release by way of the maneuver that it was containing China.
The U.S., Canadian and Australian militaries have complained a number of occasions about what they are saying have been harmful actions by the Chinese language navy and air drive within the western Pacific. Analysts concern a collision or different accident may spark a global incident and escalate into battle.
Liu’s visits comes after Anthony Albanese just lately grew to become Australia’s first prime minister to go to China in seven years.