Australian Prime Minister Albanese strongly criticizes China following a hazardous clash between warships that resulted in a diver's injury.
- Posted on November 20, 2023
- International Conflict and Politics
- By Arijit Dutta
- 283 Views
Australian PM Anthony Albanese criticized China for a contentious naval clash between warships that injured a diver. The incident, involving a Chinese destroyer and an Australian frigate, sparked concerns about safety protocols. Despite discussions during the APEC Summit, Albanese faced scrutiny for not formally addressing the matter with President Xi Jinping.
Albanese
condemned the incident, labeling it "dangerous and regrettable." The
crash occurred when a Chinese destroyer deployed sonar near an Australian
frigate during a diving operation. Defence Minister Richard Marles raised
concerns about China's "unsafe" behavior, stressing the seriousness
of the situation.
Albanese emphasized his objections to China's actions through diplomatic channels but refrained from publicizing details of his conversation with President Xi. Critics accused him of prioritizing photo opportunities over addressing the issue, risking potential damage to bilateral relations that had shown signs of improvement.
Also Read: OpenAI Leadership Shake-Up Sparks Tensions And Negotiations
Australia
claimed the Chinese destroyer endangered Australian naval divers by operating
sonar while they cleared fishing nets. Chinese media contested this, suggesting
a territorial proximity issue and implying the Australian warship may have
provoked the incident.
The clash
exacerbated tensions, impacting the evolving relationship between Australia and
China. Albanese's recent visit marked an attempt to restore diplomatic ties,
highlighted by trade improvements despite previous trade restrictions and
barriers imposed by China.
Relations
between the two nations had soured due to various issues, including alleged
Chinese interference in Australian politics and Australia's call for a COVID-19
origin inquiry. While trade barriers have eased, there remains underlying
friction, with Albanese noting ongoing discussions, including debates over wine
quality, symbolizing both progress and lingering challenges in their
relationship.