Saturday 14 May 2022 12:25 AM Chinese government hit back at Peter Dutton's claims about Chinese warship ... trends now

The Chinese government has provided a stern response to the claims of Australia's Defence Minister Peter Dutton that a hi-tech Chinese spy ship's journey off the coast of Western Australia was an 'act of aggression'.

On Friday Mr Dutton told a press conference that the Type 815 vessel bristling with the latest electronic surveillance equipment has been tracking 'close' to Australia's west coast for the last week or so.

The Dongdiao Class Auxiliary Intelligence ship was sighted at 0600 hrs on Friday morning, 250 nautical miles north-west of Broome and tracking north-east at 12 knots.

'It's strange timing and it's without precedent a vessel would be so far south,' Mr Dutton said. 'It is an aggressive act. Clearly, its intention is to gather intelligence.'

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian took issue with Mr Dutton's remarks, saying 'China always abides by international law and international practice'.

'The relevant Australian politician should see the relevant situation objectively and calmly, and not make sensational remarks,' Mr Zhao said in his daily briefing. 

Defence chiefs are keeping tabs on the ship's movements - which has crossed into Australia's exclusive economic zone - from the air and sea, according to sources.

It's appearance off the coast came just eight days before Australia's Federal election. 

Mr Dutton added: 'It's obviously very strange that it's come this far south, and it's hugging the coastline as it goes north towards Darwin. 

'Its intention will be to collect as much electronic intelligence as it can - and that's just very unusual. It does cause us concern.

'We haven't seen a ship from the People's Liberation Army Navy come this far south.' 

He believed the warship may be gathering vital data for underwater submarine routes in the area and attempting to listen in on top secret radio messages.

'There's certainly the desire for them to to look hydrographically, which is why they've sent vessels from time to time, he said.

'So, to look at routes for submarines, to look at coastline, facilities and and importantly, the Harold E Holt facility is in that area.'

The Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station near Exmouth, WA, is a top secret joint US/Australian Navy base.

An intelligence source confirmed Chinese surveillance vessels have been tracking ships going in and out of the facility for years and have also been actively mapping the ocean floor topography in the area.

Mr Dutton said China had ripped up the diplomatic rule book by arriving unannounced off the coast in this fashion.

'There is essentially an international protocol, which would normally include that contact to the Australian authorities which hasn't happened,' he said.

 The defence minister insisted that publicly releasing the sensitive military intelligence so close to election day was not without precedent. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: 'They're looking at us, and we're keeping a close eye on them. I think we just have to highlight this is obviously an issue of concern.' 

In February, the government revealed details of a flashpoint when Chinese military vessels turned blinding lasers on Australian surveillance aircraft in the Arafura Sea, north of Australia. 

Mr Dutton added: 'I think people understand the difficulty that's the reality of the Indo-Pacific at the moment.

'The acts of aggression from the Chinese

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