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Reuters

A Chinese intelligence ship was tracked off Australia’s west coast within 50 nautical miles of a sensitive defence facility, the government said on Friday, raising concern amid an election campaign about Beijing’s assertive behaviour in the region.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Chinese navy vessel was not in Australian territorial waters but its presence was “concerning”.
“It is clearly an intelligence ship and they are looking at us and we’re keeping a close eye on them,” he told reporters.
Australia had tracked the spy ship over the past week as it sailed past the Harold E Holt naval communications station at Exmouth, which is used by Australian, US and allied submarines.
War with China, racism, security feature in Australia election campaign
China’s embassy in Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Australia holds a general election on May 21 and the question of a national security threat posed by China has been a major campaign theme.
“I think it is an act of aggression. I think particularly because it has come so far south,” Defence Minister Peter Dutton told a news conference.
“It has been in close proximity to military and intelligence installations on the west coast of Australia.”


Relations between the two major trading partners have been strained in recent years over various issues including Chinese influence in Australia and the Pacific region.
Dutton questioned the “strange timing” of the vessel’s appearance although Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews declined link it to the election campaign and Morrison said Chinese navy vessels had been off the Australian coast previously.
The opposition Labor Party said it was seeking a briefing from the government.
‘No doubt’ China wants to influence Australia election, defence minister says
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday at a regular press briefing in Beijing that his country “always abides by international law and international practice.”
“The relevant Australian politician should look at the situation in an objective manner instead of making sensational remarks,” Zhao said when asked about Dutton’s comments.
Chinese navy vessels have been tracked off Australia’s north and eastern coasts several times in recent years, and the same Chinese vessel monitored Australian navy exercises with the US military off the east coast last year.

In February, China and Australia exchanged accusations over an incident in which Canberra said one of its maritime patrol aircraft detected a laser directed at it from a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel.
On the latest incident, Australia’s defence department said in a statement the Dongdiao Class Auxiliary Intelligence ship named Haiwangxing travelled down the west coast, crossing into the country’s exclusive economic zone on May 6, and coming within 50 nautical miles of the communications station on May 11.
“I certainly don’t believe that when you take it together with the many other coercive acts and the many statements that have been made which have been attacking Australia’s national interests, you could describe it as an act of bridge building or friendship,” Morrison said.


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Australia

Australia calls Chinese spy ship’s presence off west coast an ‘aggressive act’

Chinese surveillance ship Haiwangxing had been tracking Australia’s western coastline over the past week. Photo: Australian Defence Department via AP

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australia’s May 21 election: candidates need to focus on policy, not ‘gotcha’ moments and scoring political points

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese, attend the third leaders’ debate of the 2022 federal election campaign  in Sydney on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

A worker sews face masks in a Melbourne factory. File photo: EPA-EFE

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is briefed on February’s flooding disaster. File photo: EPA-EFE

Australia-China relations: ‘No doubt’ that Beijing wants to influence May 21 election, PM Scott Morrison’s defence minister says

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton addresses industry representatives during the opening of the Navy Guided Weapons Maintenance Facility in Western Sydney, Australia, in April. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) speaks, accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Icon for the smartphone app WeChat. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s account on Chinese-owned social media platform WeChat was taken over and renamed, and a lawmaker in January accused China’s leaders of political interference. Photo: AP

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton addresses the National Press Club in Canberra in November. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

Asia

Australasia

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Military


Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the navy intelligence ship Haiwangxing’s presence was ‘concerning’ after it sailed close to a military facility in Exmouth
Defence Minister Peter Dutton questioned the ‘strange timing’ of the vessel’s appearance ahead of the May 21 general election



Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the navy intelligence ship Haiwangxing’s presence was ‘concerning’ after it sailed close to a military facility in Exmouth.


China-Australia relations

Defence

Espionage

Australia calls Chinese spy ship’s presence off west coast an ‘aggressive act’

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the navy intelligence ship Haiwangxing’s presence was ‘concerning’ after it sailed close to a military facility in Exmouth Defence Minister Peter Dutton questioned the ‘strange timing’ of the vessel’s appearance ahead of the May 21 general election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the navy intelligence ship Haiwangxing’s presence was ‘concerning’ after it sailed close to a military facility in Exmouth

Defence Minister Peter Dutton questioned the ‘strange timing’ of the vessel’s appearance ahead of the May 21 general election