Australia condemns ‘unsafe’ run-in of HMAS Toowoomba with Chinese warship off Japanese coast

Australian naval divers have been injured after an “unsafe and unprofessional” collision with a Chinese warship.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Saturday that the Australian government had raised “serious concerns” to Chinese officials after the HMAS Toowoomba encountered a People’s Liberation Army-Navy destroyer on Tuesday.

The Toowoomba was in international waters in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, having worked to enforce United Nations sanctions, and was en route to a planned port visit when fishing nets became tangled around the propellers.

The ship stopped so Navy divers could clear the nets and the crew communicated what it was doing through the usual maritime channels, Marles said in a statement.

While the diving operation was taking place, the Chinese PLA-N destroyer DDG-139 came towards the Toowoomba, prompting the crew to reiterate that a dive was in progress and ask for the warship to remain clear.

The Chinese ship confirmed the message but came even closer and was discovered shortly afterwards using its hull-mounted sonar, posing a risk to the safety of the Australian divers, Mr Marles said.

The divers, who were assessed after surfacing, suffered minor injuries, likely from being exposed to the sonar pulses, he said.

“This is unsafe and unprofessional behavior,” Mr. Marles said.

“The safety and well-being of our (Australian Defense Force) personnel remains our highest priority.

While the diving operation was taking place, the Chinese PLA-N destroyer DDG-139 was heading towards the Toowoomba, prompting the crew to repeat that a dive was in progress and ask for the warship to remain clear (photo, part of the Chinese fleet during naval exercises)

“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner.”

The Defense Force has conducted surveillance in the region for decades and does so in accordance with international law, Marles said.

The incident comes as relations between Australia and China stabilize following recent meetings between Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping and China’s easing of punitive measures against Australian exports.