Australian Defence Force Deny Reports of Confrontation With Chinese Navy in South China Sea

The Royal Australian Navy guided-missile frigate HMAS Parramatta (L) is underway with the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS America, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry on the South China Sea on April 18, 2020. U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Huynh

The Australian Defence Force has denied reports there was a confrontation with the Chinese navy in the South China Sea between July 14-18.

A defence spokesperson told the Epoch Times on July 24 that five Australian naval ships (the Canberra, Hobart, Stuart, Arunta, and Sirius) transited the South China Sea including near the Spratly Islands while en route to Hawaii for the annual Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercises.