A Chinese intelligence ship tracked off Australia's west coast within 50 nautical miles (93 km) of a sensitive defense facility did not breach international maritime laws, Australia said Saturday.
Australia tracked the spy ship over the past week as it sailed past the Harold E. Holt naval communications station at Exmouth, in Western Australia, which is used by Australian, U.S. and allied submarines.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday the Chinese Navy vessel was not in Australian territorial waters but its presence was "concerning," amid an election campaign where China's behavior in the region has been center stage.