BBC News Top Stories-Sport China navy used sonar pulses against divers Australia says
November 18, 2023 2 min 307 words
这则报道揭示了澳大利亚指责中国海军在国际水域使用声纳脉冲，导致澳大利亚潜水员受伤的事件。这不仅是一次潜在的军事冲突，更是两国紧张关系的体现。澳大利亚国防部长指责中国战舰在潜水员清理渔网时采取了“不安全和不专业”的行动。这引发了对中国军事行为的质疑，强调了在亚太地区不断升级的地缘政治紧张局势。在此情境下，国际社会期待各国军队以专业和安全的方式行事，以避免引发不必要的冲突。澳大利亚强调中国在亚太地区的自信过度，而中国则保持沉默。这一事件可能加剧两国之间的矛盾，也凸显了地区安全局势的不确定性。
Australia has accused China's navy of using sonar pulses in an incident in international waters that resulted in Australian divers suffering injuries.
The Australian defence minister said a Chinese warship had resorted to "unsafe and unprofessional" actions during the encounter off Japan earlier this week.
The warship approached an Australian frigate as divers were clearing fishing nets from its propellers, he said.
The Chinese ship then emitted dangerous sonar pulses, the minister added.
This had posed "a risk to the safety of the Australian divers, who were forced to exit the water", Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement on Saturday.
The divers suffered minor injuries that were likely caused by the sonar, Mr Marles said.
"Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner," he said.
The Australian long-range frigate HMAS Toowoomba had communicated its intention to conduct diving operations on normal maritime channels, and using internationally recognised signals, the statement said.
There has been no comment for the Chinese government.
The reported incident occurred on Tuesday in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. HMAS Toowoomba was conducting operations in support of UN sanctions enforcement, Mr Marles said, without giving details.
Earlier this month Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a breakthrough trip to China, and hailed "significant progress" in relations between the Pacific powers.
However tensions remain, notably over security. Australian has expressed concern over China's growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Canberra has recently deepened military ties with the US and overhauled its defence posture in a bid to counter potential threats from China.