Australian Navy divers have been injured after a Chinese destroyer operated its sonar device nearby when they were in the water, the Defence Minister has said.
In a statement, Richard Marles lashed the “unsafe and unprofessional conduct” of the Chinese vessel.
The divers were clearing fishing nets which had become entangled around the propellers of the HMAS Toowoomba in international waters near Japan.
A destroyer from the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) approached despite the HMAS Toowoomba announcing that divers were in the water.
“Despite acknowledging Toowoomba’s communications, the Chinese vessel approached at a closer range,” Marles said.
“Soon after, it was detected operating its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a risk to the safety of the Australian divers who were forced to exit the water.”
When the Australian Navy divers surfaced, they reported minor injuries “likely due to being subjected to the sonar pulses from the Chinese destroyer”.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner,” Marles said.
“Defence has for decades undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”
Marles said the HMAS Toowoomba was within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone en route to a port visit.
