Beijing rejects suggestions Chinese cargo ship near Garden Island posing any threat to UK submarine

A senior Chinese diplomat has sternly rejected suggestions a cargo ship that recently berthed near the Garden Island naval base is posing any threat to a visiting British submarine, insisting the bulk carrier’s activities are “purely commercial”. Over the weekend the UK’s Special Representative for AUKUS, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, stressed the importance of “protective security” after helping to welcome the Royal Navy’s HMS Anson to Western Australia. “I had heard that there was a boat there, but I have also every confidence in Australian colleagues to make sure that that vessel poses no threat to anything that we have going on here,” Sir Lovegrove said when asked about the Chinese vessel Yu Xiao Feng nearby. “You start losing the secrets to the acoustic signature of the boat or the technologies that the boat uses and that is a very, significant breach and vulnerability for any nation . . . protective security, both physical, visual and electronic is incredibly important.” “We need to be very balanced about the need to continue to allow shipping lanes to be open for trade to continue and at the same time also to be very aware of any type of more suspect behaviour that might be carried on underneath that guise,” he added. His comments have now provoked a rebuke from China’s Consul General in Perth, Fu Lihua, who has declared the alleged “threat” posed by the 225-metre vessel is “entirely unfounded, even appears to be a deliberate attempt to sensationalise the matter”. “The facts are clear. The operations of the Chinese vessel are purely commercial in nature and have strictly complied with Australian regulations,” Madam Fu said in a statement sent to The West Australian. “At present, the international situation is marked by challenges and changes. China remains committed to the path of peaceful development, high-quality growth, and high-level opening-up.” Madam Fu has also revealed her consulate had immediately contacted the vessel’s operators, COSCO Shipping Group, to seek information about the Yu Xiao Feng which arrived at Kwinana Port on February 13. “In the early hours of 14 February, in accordance with port instructions, the vessel was guided by a pilot to the inner anchorage to await berthing, as is customary for all grain-loading vessels.” “On 23 February, again in line with port arrangements, the vessel berthed at the terminal. Four Australian customs officers boarded the ship and completed their routine inspection”. The vessel was due to complete loading and depart on Wednesday, as maritime tracking data obtained by the West reveals another Chinese grain ship, Esperance Bay has also just arrived at Kwinana. An Australian Border Force spokesperson said due to privacy obligations it can’t comment on compliance or enforcement activities relating to individual vessels exporting or importing goods.