Australian Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has accused China of using sonar while divers were nearby (Photo: PA)

Australia has accused the Chinese navy of injuring divers by using sonar while trying to remove fishing nets from ship propellers.

The Australian government raised concerns with Beijing earlier this week about what it called unsafe and unprofessional behavior.

The accusations came from Defense Secretary Richard Marles in a statement on his official website.

There was no immediate comment from the Chinese side following the allegations.

The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Toowoomba was involved in the latest alleged incident (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S., Canadian and Australian militaries have repeatedly complained about what they call dangerous actions by the Chinese navy and air force in the western Pacific.

Analysts fear that a collision or other accident could lead to an international incident and escalate into a conflict.

The HMAS Toowoomba stopped in international waters in Japan’s exclusive economic zone on Tuesday after fishing nets became entangled in its propellers, the defense minister said.

The naval frigate had helped enforce UN sanctions in the region.

While diving operations were underway, a Chinese destroyer moved towards the Australian ship and was found to operate its hull-mounted sonar in a manner that posed a hazard to the divers and forced them out of the water, the statement said.

“The divers suffered minor injuries, likely due to exposure to sonar pulses from the Chinese destroyer,” the report said.

Sonar uses sound waves to create an image in the water. In high concentrations these can lead to dizziness, hearing loss and organ damage.

Australian Senator James Paterson, a member of the opposition Liberal Party, noted that the incident occurred shortly after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Beijing to improve his country’s relations with China.

“On the one hand, China says it wants a better relationship with Australia, and on the other hand, it is making dangerous maneuvers that endanger the safety of Australian personnel,” he told reporters.

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