Politics
Anthony Albanese erupts at simple question about Chinse warships
- READ MORE: Urgent ‘no-fly zone’ warning for pilots as Chinese warships lurk
Anthony Albanese has bristled at suggestions he should get Beijing on the phone after China‘s military carried out a live-fire exercise off the Australian coast and stoked international tensions.
The prime minister said senior Defence officials continued to monitor three Chinese warships after they were spotted moving south about 280km off Sydney, in international waters, on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart and demanded answers as to why the vessels only offered limited notice before the firing was carried out.
China’s actions are believed to have complied with international law and the Australian Defence Force has advised there was no imminent threat to its assets or those of New Zealand.
But analysts believe the sailing was an attempt by Beijing to project power and send a message to Canberra about China’s capability.
Mr Albanese was asked on Saturday if he would call President Xi Jinping in light of the incident but instead defended China’s right to carry out the exercise as it had not breached international law.
‘It’s important to not suggest that wasn’t the case. What we have done is to make appropriate representation through diplomatic channels, including foreign minister to foreign minister,’ he said.
‘They could have given more notice but Australia has a presence from time to time in the South China Sea (and) this activity took place outside of our exclusive economic zone. Notification did occur.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says China has obeyed rules regarding its warships
Mr Albanese was asked on Saturday if he would call President Xi Jinping (right) in light of the incident but instead defended China’s right to carry out the exercise
Australia has co-ordinated its response with New Zealand but not spoken with ANZUS ally the United States since the incident.
Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie leapt on the prime minister’s response, suggesting China’s actions amounted to ‘gunboat diplomacy’.
‘This is Chinese warships imposing themselves on our commercial airspace and that’s why I come back to that question for the PM, where’s his limit?’ he told ABC Radio.
‘Why is he being weak about this? Why isn’t he picking up the phone and making representations on behalf of the Australian people and our national interests?’
Defence Minister Richard Marles earlier said Australia had not received satisfactory answers when it queried the incident.
‘They notified a live firing exercise but with very short notice, which meant that was very disconcerting for planes that were in the air,’ he told Channel Seven.
Australian officials said it was customary to give 24 to 48 hours notice of live fire activity.
Qantas, Emirates and Air New Zealand modified flight paths between Australia and New Zealand after receiving reports of live firing in international waters.
Defence Minister Richard Marles (pictured on Saturday) earlier said Australia had not received satisfactory answers when it queried the incident
Chinese warships were discovered just 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, marking the furthest south Beijing’s navy has ever ventured along Australia’s eastern coastline
A Defence spokesperson said China advised via a radio broadcast on a civilian channel that it would carry out its drill.
‘(China) did not inform Defence of its intent to conduct a live fire activity and has not provided any further information,’ a statement read.
Senator Wong met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Johannesburg on Friday.
Along with the increasing military tensions, she raised the case of Australian citizen Yang Jun, who has received a suspended death sentence in Beijing, and reiterated Australia’s wider opposition to the death penalty.
Senator Wong said her discussions with China were ‘calm and consistent’.
The live firing exercise follows a run-in with the Chinese military last week, when a fighter jet fired flares in front of an RAAF surveillance aircraft during a patrol over the South China Sea .
The government lodged a complaint with Beijing over the near-miss, fearing for the lives of the Australian personnel.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
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