Australian military officials snub PLA celebrations in Canberra as missile tensions continue to simmer
EXCLUSIVE: Australian military officials have snubbed a major celebration held at the Chinese embassy as tensions between both nations simmer following Beijing’s missile test in the Pacific this month.
Senior Australian military officials have snubbed a celebration of the People’s Liberation Army held at the Chinese embassy as strategic tensions between both nations continue to simmer following Beijing’s missile test in the Pacific this month.
The Nightly can reveal uniformed representatives from the United States, New Zealand as well as several Asian and Middle Eastern nations gathered in Canberra on Thursday for the private event marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
At the same time Foreign Minister Penny Wong has used a speech in the Philippines to warn China that Australia and other neighbouring nations will not be bullied by its “provocative” actions, after its involvement in another “destabilising and dangerous” incident this week.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Her comments follow another confrontation between the China Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea on Monday, which has drawn criticism from Australia and other nations.
Diplomatic tensions between Australia and its largest trading partner have also been steadily growing since a PLA-Navy submarine test fired a nuclear-capable missile into the South Pacific earlier this month.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday evening demanded Australia stop “exaggerating tensions and inciting confrontation” over the South China Sea after Senator Wong warned Beijing against “destabilising” conduct in the region.
In a daily press conference Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian accused Australia of turning “a blind eye” to the Philippines’ “provocations” and making “groundless accusations against China”.
“Apparently, whenever something happens at sea, the same few countries immediately point their fingers at China regardless of who exactly is at fault,” he said.
“Are they trying to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable or simply to destabilise? I think the answer is quite clear.
“We urge relevant countries to stop hyping up tensions and sowing confrontation, and earnestly respect regional countries’ effort for peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Asked about Senator Wong’s comments, Lin Jian said that “whenever there is the slightest disturbance at sea … the same small handful of countries rush to the forefront to oppose China without regard for the facts”.
“China urges the relevant countries to stop exaggerating tensions and inciting confrontation, and to genuinely respect the efforts made by regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Mr Lin added.
Earlier this week Senator Wong expressed concerns over Beijing’s recent missile test during a face-to-face meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in the Philippines.
On Wednesday Senator Wong was asked about the potential of more regular regional sea patrols in tandem with the United States and Japan, following China’s missile testing.
“The maritime zone is critical to stability in the region so, when we have a conversation about the South China Sea, that is something I’m sure we should all keep in mind,” she told reporters in Manila.
The Australian Defence Department has declined to reveal which uniformed representatives, if any, attended Thursday’s gathering at the Chinese embassy to celebrate the PLA foundation day.
The Nightly has however confirmed the Defence Department’s First Assistant Secretary for International Policy, Bernard Philip attended and was acknowledged during the formal proceedings.
In past years senior Australian Defence Force figures, including the Vice Chief of Defence, have attended the annual gathering where members of the Royal Military College Band have also performed.
Thursday’s gathering at the Chinese embassy took place a day after The Nightly revealed that Australia’s Army had recently painted an “enemy” tank in Chinese military camouflage colours for a land warfare exercise in Victoria.
Defence insisted the move to outfit one of its M1A2 Abrams as a surrogate “opposing force”, to specially replicate a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) main battle tank, saying it was part of “long-established military training practices”.
