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The critique highlighted that the response from Chinese authorities was dismissive, with China asserting that it reserves the right to conduct military exercises in international waters without prior notice. This stance, the observer argued, was unacceptable and demonstrated a need for Australia to adopt a more assertive diplomatic stance.
In particular, the critic believed that Australia's leadership should have openly reaffirmed support for the United States' enduring presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. Navy's activities serve as a critical pillar of regional security, and a clear and unwavering stance from Australia on this matter was deemed necessary to deter further Chinese ambit claims in the region.