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China-Australia relations ‘on the right path’, Xi Jinping tells Anthony Albanese on Beijing visit
China-Australia relations ‘on the right path’, Xi Jinping tells Anthony Albanese on Beijing visit
In an interview on Monday with Sky News Australia, Albanese said the incident caused injury to one person and shows the need for “communication guardrails” between militaries.
“This was dangerous, it was unsafe and unprofessional from the Chinese warship,” he said.
Albanese said the incident was raised through “all of the normal channels”, but didn’t disclose if it was discussed in his private meeting with Xi at Apec.
Australia chides ‘unsafe’ conduct after navy divers injured by Chinese sonar
Australia chides ‘unsafe’ conduct after navy divers injured by Chinese sonar
“The consequences of these events are that they do damage to the relationship. And this certainly is an event that does do damage. And we’ve made that very clear to China,” he added.
A People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer closed towards HMAS Toowoomba, despite the Australian vessel notifying the Chinese warship of a diving operation, and operated its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a safety risk, Marles previously said.
Medical assessments found minor injuries to divers likely caused by the destroyer’s sonar, the defence minister added.
Albanese visited China this month, the first Australian leader to do so in seven years, agreeing to restart an annual leaders dialogue.
The Chinese embassy in Australia did not respond to a request for comment.