SYDNEY (Reuters).-A Chinese intelligence ship was found off Australia’s West Coast, within 50 miles of a critical defence facility. This did not constitute a violation of international maritime laws. Australia stated on Saturday.

Australia was able to track the spy vessel as it passed by the Harold E Holt naval communications station in Exmouth (in Western Australia), which is used daily by U.S., Australian and allies submarines.

Scott Morrison stated that the Chinese naval vessel was not within Australian territorial waters, but was there “concerning”, in an election campaign during which China’s conduct in the area has been the centre of attention.

Campaign for May 21 General Election has focused on the theme of China’s national security threat, and its growing influence in the Pacific.

Morrison, when asked Saturday if the vessel’s behavior was “red line”, replied that freedom of navigation is allowed around the globe and that the ship has not violated maritime laws.

On the campaign trail to Melbourne, he stated that “international law of sea hasn’t been broken” He said that the issue was a reminder of the challenges Australia faces from China, who “try to enforce its will” in the region.

The Australian Embassy of China did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

Morrison made these comments after Peter Dutton, Defence Minister, said this week that the vessel’s movements were “an act of aggression”, because it was so far south.

Anthony Albanese of Labor Party, an opposition leader, said that he agreed with the government’s concern about the vessel.

Relationships between Australia and China have become strained after China’s growing influence on the Solomon Islands. This was after Australia signed a Security pact.

Many times, Chinese navy ships have been tracked offshore of Australia’s east and north coasts in recent years. This same Chinese ship also monitored exercises by the Australian Navy off Australia’s east coast.

Australia and China traded barbs in February over an incident where Australia claimed that one of their maritime patrol aircrafts detected a laser being directed towards it by a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship.