Australia PM Calls Chinese Navy Incident that Injured Diver 'Dangerous'

Facts

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized China for acting dangerously and damaging ties after an incident in international waters off Japan on Tuesday between a Chinese warship and an Australian navy vessel.¹
• According to Australia, naval divers from HMAS Toowoomba had been underwater attempting to untangle fishing nets from the vehicle's propellers. The nearby Chinese destroyer Ningbo was informed of the matter and requested to stay away, but the destroyer used its sonar, injuring one diver.²
• Albanese told reporters that the incident was an example of why 'communications' and 'guardrails' were needed in order to 'avoid reckless events.' The PM added that it was 'one of those times' he 'disagree[d] with China.'³
• During a routine press conference on Monday, a representative from China's Foreign Ministry responded to questions regarding the event by saying that the Chinese military has 'always been highly disciplined' and has 'always operated professionally on the basis of international law and international practices.'⁴
• While he claimed to have brought up the matter with the Chinese through 'all of the normal channels,' Mr. Albanese did not disclose if he had brought up the incident in his private APEC meeting with President Xi Jinping.  The opposition then demanded that the PM explicitly reveal whether or not he had raised the matter with Xi.⁵
• The incident has occurred amid the two countries' attempts to stabilize their diplomatic relationship, after years of tension that had worsened during Australia's previous coalition administration.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²ABC News, ³The Guardian, ⁴CNN, ⁵Independent and ⁶The Canberra Times.

Narratives

• Anti-China narrative, as provided by Independent. China's warships have a long history of acting in a dangerous and provocative manner. The reckless actions of the Chinese Navy and Air Force have even caused American, Canadian, and Australian militaries to fear the sudden, localized eruption of conflict. China must ensure all members of its armed forces communicate with and respect other nation's militaries to avoid incidents like this in future.
• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. Despite swirling allegations, the exact location of this incident remains disputed. The Australian warship claimed to have been in the Japanese economic zone, but it was in fact operating in Chinese waters. The Chinese destroyer therefore acted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations by following the Toowoomba's activity at a close distance. Australia should stop stirring up trouble at China's doorstep and instead work to improve and develop relations between the two countries.

Predictions