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MH370 ‘ship was searching not spying’, says China

China has strongly denied that its ship involved in the search for MH370 has used its time to spy on Australia.

Chinese ship Dong Hai Jiu 101.
Chinese ship Dong Hai Jiu 101.

China has strongly denied that its ship involved in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, Flight MH370 has used its time in local waters to spy on Australia. The Australian reported last week warnings from security experts that the Dong Hai Jiu 101 had done little searching but had probably used the opportunity to spy on Australian military activity.

In a letter to the editor, the spokesman for China’s embassy in Canberra said the report distorted the truth.

“The facts are China, Australia and various other parties place high importance on the MH370 search mission,” the spokesman said. “We have all worked together in good faith and invested enormous manpower and material resources in this endeavour.”

The spokesman said the vessel was taking part in the search in accordance with an agreement between the Chinese and Australian governments, and under the co-ordination and command of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

“The underwater search equipment on board is supplied by the American company Phoenix, employed by the ATSB,” the spokesman said.

That equipment was wholly operated by a Phoenix team which included an ATSB representative. The vessel’s navigation routes and missions were drawn up by the ATSB, the spokesman said. “The Chinese side is only responsible for providing the vessel and ensuring it is operated in good condition.” Since joining the mission, Dong Hai Jiu 101 had been in good condition. By September 4, it had been involved for 238 days and had covered 26,044 nautical miles. It had used its equipment to search 2528sq km and to check out “infill” areas totalling 332.28sq km. The infill areas are sections of the 120,000 search zone marked for rechecking in case something was missed.

The embassy spokesman said that unusually severe weather meant sections of the search had to be postponed.

Read related topics:China TiesMh370

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/mh370-ship-was-searching-not-spying-says-china/news-story/c4446889f562238b2ee56c81722149be