Chinese Navy Challenged Australian Warships

Australian warships were challenged by the Chinese military in the disputed South China Sea earlier this month, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported on Friday, citing Australian defense officials.
The defence department confirmed the three vessels recently travelled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam through the South China Sea but refused to provide details of the interactions between Australia’s warships and Chinese military.
It’s believed the interaction happened around the same time China was conducting its largest-ever naval parade on April 12. The massive show of force involved 10,000 naval officers, 48 naval vessels, submarines, the country’s first aircraft carrier.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asserted the right of the Australian navy to travel the South China Sea, after local media reported three Australian warships were challenged by the Chinese navy earlier this month.
“All I can say to you is Australia asserts and practises its right of freedom of navigation throughout the world’s oceans, including of course the South China Sea,” Turnbull said. “As is our perfect right in accordance with international law.”
One official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, insisted the exchanges with the Chinese were polite, but “robust”.
The Defence Department refused to answer questions or discuss details of the interactions between the Australian warships and the Chinese military. In a statement it confirmed the ships travelled through the South China Sea.
“The Australian Defence Force has maintained a robust program of international engagement with countries in and around the South China Sea for decades,” it said.
“As they have done for many decades, Australian vessels and aircraft will continue to exercise rights under international law to freedom of navigation and overflight, including in the South China Sea,” The Defence Department added.
>Juthy Saha