Beijing has responded sharply to criticism from Canberra regarding recent naval exercises conducted by the Chinese military near the Australian coast. On Sunday, Chinese officials accused Australia of “deliberately hyping” the situation, stemming from a reported live-fire drill that has raised alarms among Australian policymakers.
In recent days, three Chinese naval vessels have been observed operating in international waters of the Tasman Sea, prompting close monitoring from Australia and New Zealand. In a statement on Saturday, Australian authorities expressed concern about the live-fire warnings issued by the Chinese ships during naval drills, which forced commercial aircraft to alter their flight paths. As of now, they have indicated that they have not received a satisfactory response from Beijing regarding this incident.
Responding to the controversy, Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s defense ministry, confirmed the use of live ammunition during the exercise while contesting Australia’s narrative. Wu stated that the training was conducted in accordance with international law and regulations and included prior safety notices to ensure aviation safety was not compromised. The spokesperson criticized Australia for making “unreasonable accusations” and asserted that the actions taken by China were justified and conducted with due diligence.
This incident further strains the relationship between Beijing and Canberra, which had been steadily improving under Australia’s current Labor government. Ties between the two nations have a tumultuous history, largely characterized by Australian concerns over Chinese influence in domestic affairs. These tensions reached a peak in 2018 when Australia banned tech giant Huawei from participating in the country’s 5G network, citing national security risks.
Adding to the recent friction, earlier this month, Canberra condemned Beijing for what it described as “unsafe” conduct after a Chinese fighter jet purportedly dropped flares near an Australian military aircraft operating in the South China Sea. Beijing countered this by alleging that the Australian plane had intruded into airspace it claims over the Xisha Islands, a territory contested in the region.
As both nations navigate these choppy waters, the potential for further diplomatic tensions looms, complicating their diplomatic relationship amidst broader concerns about regional security and influence.
