China reacts after Australia rejects US Navy’s Red Sea call

China has hailed a decision by the Australian government to reject a US Navy request for a warship in the Middle East.

Australia won’t send a warship to the Red Sea after a US request, in what could have been a major escalation in this country’s response to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.

Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the decision on Thursday saying that Australia would focus on sending more shore-based personnel instead.

“We won’t be sending a a ship or a plane, that said we will be tripling our contribution to the combined maritime force. We need to be clear about our strategic focus,” Mr Marles told Sky News.

The US Navy had asked for the Australian warship to join an expanded international task force in response to growing attacks on shipping by Iran-backed militia that are threatening vital global sea lanes.

Reflecting fears the conflict could become a region-wide war, any warship would be entering a hot war zone and could easily find itself fired upon, and forced to fire back, in what is a volatile and fast-changing security situation.

The Air Warfare Destroyer Sydney. The US Navy has asked for an Australian warship to join an expanded international task force in the Red Sea in response to growing attacks on shipping by Iran-backed militia.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the decision had undermined Australia’s alliance with the US.

“The inaction of the Albanese government makes Australia a less reliable partner and ally at a time when our alliances and ­partnerships are increasingly ­important,” Mr Birmingham said.

China’s state-run Global Times newspaper praised the decision saying it proves Australia is shifting away from the US.

“It has finally stepped out of the US shadow to call for a ceasefire and could potentially act as a mediator in the conflict if needed,” the paper said.

“That opportunity will be lost if it has a military presence in the region. It is sensible for Australia to continue distancing itself from the US.”

Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles and drones toward Israel and cargo ships in nearby waters that they suspect are working with Israel.

It comes as fears of a wider conflict continue to grow, with daily exchanges of fire along Israel’s border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, and other Iran-backed groups targeting US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria.