Australian warships challenged by Chinese military in tense South China Sea confrontation
AUSTRALIAN warships were reportedly challenged by the Chinese military in the South China Sea as China continues its blunt show of force.
AUSTRALIAN warships were confronted by the Chinese military in the South China Sea as the People's Liberation Army continues its show of force in the region.
HMAS Anzac, HMAS Toowoomba and HMAS Success were travelling through the contentious waters this month when they were challenged by the Chinese, the ABC reports.
An anonymous official told the publication the exchange was civil but "robust".
The Australian ships were on their way to Vietnam for a three-day goodwill visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has not confirmed or denied the incident occured but said Australia has a "perfect right" to sail through the South China Sea.
"All I can say to you is we maintain and practice the right of freedom of navigation and overflight throughout the world," Mr Turnbull told reporters at a press conference in London overnight.