Sinister warning from China on the South China Sea to Australia

China’s state-controlled media has bluntly warned Australia’s warships to stay out of the South China Sea or risk the “bitter pill” of confrontation.

In a sinister threat to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, China is doubling down after the furor over a shocking doctored image that shows a smiling Australian soldier slitting the throat of an Afghan child, news.com.au reports.

In an overnight editorial in The Global Times, Australia is described as the “war dog” of the United States.

“As the war dog of the United States, Australia should contain its arrogance. In particular, its warships must not come to the coastal areas of China to flex its muscles, or else it will swallow the bitter pills,” says the editorial.

“Australian special forces killed 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners. Killing innocent people is trampling on human rights no matter what. But Canberra has the nerve to place itself on the higher moral ground of human rights. How arrogant and shameless it is. the Morrison government! “

China maintains a maritime militia in the South China Sea, officially called the Maritime Militia of the People’s Armed Forces (PAFMM) that plays a key role in Beijing’s strategy to enforce its disputed sovereignty claims.

Rowan Callick, a fellow at the Asia Institute, told news.com.au that the Global Times editorial was a clear reference to the South China Sea.

“Australia has refused to apply these freedom of navigation protocols. It is a warning that if we change our strategy and participate in these freedom of navigation cruises, something may or may not happen,” he said.

“I don’t think the Global Times is the vehicle for placing highly strategic messages. It’s one for locating general sentiment. If People’s Daily were to run an editorial on this, that Australia ships should be careful, it would be more disturbing. This is disturbing enough. . “

Former Labor MP Michael Danby said the editorial represented a clear warning and follows recent activity involving HMAS Ballarat.

“That is a threat. HMAS Ballarat was in the South China Sea recently with the US task force,” Danby said.

“That is very sinister. It suggests there could be an incident.”

According to the US Navy, HMAS Ballarat conducted drills, integrated tactical training and war scenarios and a combined transit to the Andaman Sea through the Straits of Malacca in late October.

“We find great value in sailing alongside our close Australian allies, as well as our other allies and partners, in support of a free, open, safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” said Commander Ryan T. Easterday.

Ballarat’s commander-in-chief, Commander Antony Pisani, was also cited for praising the opportunity to “hone our warfare and seamanship skills and develop our ability to operate and communicate together.”

In July, Australian warships sailing near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea engaged the Chinese navy.

It was reported at the time that HMAS Canberra, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Stuart, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Sirius remained outside the 12 nautical miles of the disputed islands, unlike the recent “freedom of navigation” exercises conducted by the navy. of the United States to challenge Beijing.

The year before, Australian Navy helicopter pilots were hit by lasers during exercises, forcing them to land as a precaution.

Launching a new volley against Australia, the Global Times editorial also threatens trade ties, noting that Australia is considering filing complaints about China’s trade taxation to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“Australia treats China’s goodwill meanly. It is not worth arguing with. If it does not want to do business with China, so be it. Its politics, military and culture should stay away from China – suppose the two countries are not on the same planet, ” says the editorial.

“Beijing is not afraid to go to the WTO with Canberra. China will acknowledge it if it loses, but the result will certainly be that all of Australia’s accusations will fail.”

He continued: “The fact is that as Sino-Australian relations have remained warm in the past, Chinese society found no fault with Australia’s imports. But now Canberra implements a wolf-style policy towards China and has become the most savage accomplice in the US crackdown on China. China, in response, must review its Australian policy and act by the rules. “

But as tensions mount, Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong cautioned that a careful response is required.

“I think it was a deliberately provocative image. It was an offensive and inflammatory image and it was rightly condemned by all parties and by the Australian community,” he said.

“What we have to do, and what we must do, is to respond calmly and strategically and not get excited.

“Photography or altered photography, offensive altered photography is not the behavior of a mature and responsible international power. He is clearly sending a message and we have to choose how we respond to him and I think we have to respond with unity as we have and we have to recognize it for what it is: deliberate provocation and that it is inflammatory.