CHINA's recent harassment of the Australian warship HMAS Toowoomba off the coast of Japan, resulting in minor injuries to naval divers, is part of a series of provocations by China's military against Australian, American and Canadian ships and aircraft in Asian skies and waters, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
Despite the improvement in Australia-China relations since the election of the Albanese government, these incidents raise questions about China's military policy and whether they stem from inadequate command and control or insufficient training.
This incident brings to mind a passage from the memoir of former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, where he justified avoiding sailing Australian naval vessels within 12 nautical miles of China's artificially constructed islands in the South China Sea.
Mr Turnbull highlighted the risk of escalation and the difficulty of challenging China's assertiveness without international support.
The underlying issue is Australia's willingness to sacrifice its principles and interests, especially in the face of China's attempts to reshape the rules-based order.
While successive Australian governments claim to support international law and the rules-based order, China's provocations force Australia to define its limits.
The question becomes: what behaviour will Australia tolerate, and what will it not?
The incidents underscore the need for Australia to clarify its stance and determine the risks it is willing to take to uphold its principles.
Even if China were to breach those limits, direct military confrontation may not be the appropriate response.
Mr Turnbull's caution still holds - escalation would likely favour China, given its greater reserves.
Instead, Australia would need to find indirect ways to demonstrate resolve, whether through economic or diplomatic means.
These provocations test Australia to navigate a path that upholds its principles while considering the complexities of responding to China's assertive actions.
SeaNews Turkey
Despite the improvement in Australia-China relations since the election of the Albanese government, these incidents raise questions about China's military policy and whether they stem from inadequate command and control or insufficient training.
This incident brings to mind a passage from the memoir of former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, where he justified avoiding sailing Australian naval vessels within 12 nautical miles of China's artificially constructed islands in the South China Sea.
Mr Turnbull highlighted the risk of escalation and the difficulty of challenging China's assertiveness without international support.
The underlying issue is Australia's willingness to sacrifice its principles and interests, especially in the face of China's attempts to reshape the rules-based order.
While successive Australian governments claim to support international law and the rules-based order, China's provocations force Australia to define its limits.
The question becomes: what behaviour will Australia tolerate, and what will it not?
The incidents underscore the need for Australia to clarify its stance and determine the risks it is willing to take to uphold its principles.
Even if China were to breach those limits, direct military confrontation may not be the appropriate response.
Mr Turnbull's caution still holds - escalation would likely favour China, given its greater reserves.
Instead, Australia would need to find indirect ways to demonstrate resolve, whether through economic or diplomatic means.
These provocations test Australia to navigate a path that upholds its principles while considering the complexities of responding to China's assertive actions.
SeaNews Turkey
