China says transit of research vessel not linked to Australian elections

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's embassy in Australia rejected reports linking the transit of a Chinese research vessel south of Australia with the country's upcoming federal elections, saying the vessel's passage had "nothing to do with China-Australia relations".

The recent activities of the vessel are part of routine scientific research and the route was set in accordance with the international waterway, the embassy said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that it had kept close communication with the Australian side on the issue.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

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