‘Out of the shadow’: China celebrates Albanese’s Red Sea call

Australia is stepping out of the United States’ ‘shadow’ with its decision not to send a warship to the Red Sea, China says.

The Chinese government’s mouthpiece has welcomed reports Australia has rejected the United States’ request to send a warship to the Red Sea, saying the middle power was finally stepping out of America’s “shadow”.

In an opinion piece published by China’s state-run media – The Global Times newspaper – author Jerry Grey celebrated the Albanese government’s reported refusal to send a warship to the Middle East, and Australia’s recent UN vote for a ceasefire in contrast to that of the US.

He said the moves proved Australia was “distancing itself from the US”.

“(Australia) 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. 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,” the paper said.

Mr Albanese indicated Australia would not send a ship to the troubled waters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The article, titled ‘Sensible for Australia to refuse US Red Sea Warship’, was accompanied by a cartoon of a kangaroo standing at the edge of a hole with a US-branded shovel nearby.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who seized power in Yemen nine years ago and have declared their support for Hamas in the Israel-Gaza war, have targeded oil tankers and container ships through the Red Sea and Suez Canal in recent weeks, and vowed to continue to target ships travelling to Israel.

Given an estimated 10 per cent of the world’s trade passes through the region, the US-led mission will escort vessels through the narrow passage.

The Global Times said that any decision by Australia to send a warship to the Red Sea would have escalated tensions, while simultaneously claiming that the US was overstating the threat supposedly posed by Houthi rebels.

#Opinion: Australia is located on the other side of the world. 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. That opportunity will be lost if it has a military presence in the region. It is… pic.twitter.com/yFru5FVCA0

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) December 19, 2023

Anthony Albanese has indicated Australia will not send a warship to join the task force, saying the US was happy for Australia to provide diplomatic support for the operation.

Australia has signed a joint statement condemning the attacks

“We know that the US understands the best way for us to support this is through diplomatic support,” Mr Albanese said.

The article said that if the US’ goal was to prevent an escalation, “calling on Australia and other ‘international allies’ to get involved seems contradictory to what the US claims it is trying to achieve”.

“Pressure to the Albanese government (to send a warship) comes from the fact that it knows much of the population would like Australia to stay out of the conflict but Australia joined Britain and/or the US in every conflict from the Boer War in 1899, up to now. To decline would set a new precedent albeit a welcomed one.”

Houthi rebels in Yemen released footage and photos of the Houthi-run coastguard taking over the British-owned Galaxy Leader Vessel in the Red Sea that had 52 people on-board. Picture: Houthi Movement/Getty Images

A joint declaration, signed by nine countries, including members of the EU, NATO, Japan and New Zealand, said the recent targeting of ships travelling to Israel by Houthi militants was “appalling” and posed a threat to international commerce and maritime security.

“The numerous attacks originating from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, including the December 3 attacks against three commercial vessels in the Southern Red Sea connected to 14 nations, threaten international commerce and maritime security,” the statement read.

“The Houthi-led seizure of the Galaxy Leader on November 19 and the detention of its 25-member international crew – who remain unjustly detained – is appalling.

“There is no justification for these attacks, which affect many countries beyond the flags these ships sail under.”

Singapore, The Bahamas, Liberia, Korea and Yemen also signed the statement.

Defence Force chief Angus Campbell attended a virtual meeting overnight with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and other members of the 39-nation Combined Maritime Force.

Mr Albanese said Australia would look at providing further personnel to the taskforce.

“We’ve said that we will examine further personnel as well, being there. And the US is keen for Australian diplomatic and public support,” he said.