Australian warships encounter Chinese naval vessels in South China Sea, situation diffused

In a deepening rift, at least three Australian warships encountered Chinese war vessels in disputed South China Sea as two naval forces were locked in a confrontation on former's way to Vietnam, as per international media reports. 

Chinese forces (People’s Liberation Army-Navy) issued warnings to Australia’s two Anzac-class frigates, HMAS Anzac and HMAS Toowoomba, and one Durance-class replenishment ship HMAS Success as vessels were sailing for a goodwill port at Subic Bay.  

Australia’s Defence Department said in a statement that its three warships were on a course to traverse rrn Spratly Islands to its eventual destination of Ho Chi Minh City. It ded that ships h nearly sailed towards China’s artificial islands. However, Australian government downplayed incident, saying that interaction, that is believed to have happened last week, was conducted in a safe environment.  

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"Maintaining security and safety at sea requires navies to be able to cooperate seamlessly," Commander of Australian Joint Task Group Commodore Michael Harris said in a statement. 

Australian war vessels did t sail within 12 nautical miles of contested islands. defence spokesperson revealed that at least 5 of ir ships were on a voy from 14-18 July and were bound for Hawaii for US-led military Pimpac, according to a report. He ded that foreign warships tackled situation professionally, as vessels operating in international waters would be expected to.  

" combined activities between our navies demonstrates a high degree of interoperability and capability between Australia, Japan and US," ded Commodore Michael Harris.

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Exercise Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) in Hawaii

Meanwhile, on July 21, Australia’s Department of Defense confirmed in an official statement that Japan, US and Australia were conducting  trilateral pass in Philippine Sea to participate in Exercise Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) in Hawaii.

It ded that Australian Defence Force (F) Joint Task Group was conducting an exercise with USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which includes United States Navy’s guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam and guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki.  trilateral pass was scheduled to take place on 23 July. 

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(Ims Credit: Australia Department of Defense)