Australia says Chinese spy ship near war games
[MELBOURNE] A Chinese spy ship has been detected off the Australian coast near joint war games underway between the United States, New Zealand and Australian militaries, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said on Saturday.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy Type 815 Dongdiao-class auxiliary general intelligence vessel was operating off the north-east coast during the Talisman Sabre war games, the ADF said in a statement.
The Chinese ship remained outside Australian territorial waters but was inside the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone in the Coral Sea, it said.
"The vessel's presence has not detracted from the exercise objectives. Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation in international waters in accordance with international law," the statement said.
More than 30,000 troops from the United States, New Zealand and Australia are taking part in biennial war games, which end in late July.
China's growing military presence, particularly in the disputed South China Sea, has raised tensions with regional neighbours and drawn criticism from both the United States and Australia.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims in the South China Sea, through which about US$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year.
REUTERS
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
China passes tariff law as tensions with trading partners simmer
Blinken meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing
South Korea’s public finances no longer a credit rating ‘strength’: Fitch
UK consumer confidence improves as inflation and taxes fall
Inflation in Japan’s capital falls below BOJ target, slows for second month
China firms are investing abroad at fastest pace in eight years