Australia has lodged a formal complaint against the Chinese navy, alleging that it likely caused minor injuries to Australian naval divers during an incident involving sonar interference. Defense Minister Richard Marles expressed serious concerns over what he described as “unsafe and unprofessional conduct” earlier this week, according to a statement on his official website.
The incident occurred when the HMAS Toowoomba, stationed in international waters within Japan’s exclusive economic zone, encountered difficulties with fishing nets entangled in its propellers while enforcing U.N. sanctions in the region. As Australian naval divers worked to clear the nets, a Chinese destroyer reportedly approached, operating its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a risk to the divers and prompted them to exit the water.
“The divers…sustained minor injuries likely due to being subjected to the sonar pulses from the Chinese destroyer,” the statement noted. Sonar, which uses sound waves to create underwater images, can cause adverse effects such as dizziness, hearing damage, and other organ damage at high levels.
While the Chinese side has not yet responded, the Australian government has formally communicated its concerns to the Chinese government. This incident adds to a series of complaints by the U.S., Canadian, and Australian militaries about what they perceive as dangerous actions by the Chinese navy and air force in the western Pacific. Analysts warn that such incidents could lead to international tensions and potentially escalate into conflict.
Australian Senator James Paterson, a member of the opposition Liberal Party, pointed out the timing of the incident following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent visit to Beijing to improve diplomatic relations. Paterson remarked, “On one hand, China says it wants a better relationship with Australia, and on the other hand, it takes dangerous maneuvers that put the safety of Australian personnel at risk.”