Authorities in Canberra said Chinese fighters released flares in front of Australian military aircraft earlier this week while flying through the South China Sea.
Australia’s Ministry of Defense said it had “expressed concerns” to its Chinese counterparts over “dangerous and unprofessional interactions.”
No one was injured after Tuesday’s incident and damage was caused to Australia’s P-8A surveillance jet, the department said.
However, China said Australian aircraft “deliberately invaded” the airspace, and Chinese fighters responded in a “legal, legal, professional, and restrained” way.
This is the latest in a series of encounters between the two countries in the region, with huge claims on Chinese islands and outcrops overlapping with their neighbors’ troops.
Although there are no claims against the South China Sea, Australia has coordinated itself to the US and its allies, saying that China’s claims have no legal basis.
“Australia expects that all countries, including China, will operate their troops safely and professionally,” the department said in a statement Thursday.
Guo Zi-Kung, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Australia has violated China’s sovereignty and Canberra must “stop eroding peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Last May, Australia accused Chinese fighters of dropping flares near Australian Navy helicopters, part of the UN Security Council mission in the Yellow Sea.
In November 2023, Canberra accused the Beijing Navy of using sonar pulses in international waters off Japan, causing an Australian diver to be injured.
In another statement Thursday, Canberra said it was monitoring three Chinese naval vessels operating in the northeast of Australia.
These vessels traveled through Southeast Asia before entering the Australian maritime approach. According to the Department of Defense, one of the ships travels to the country’s waters.
“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and excessive freedom of flight in accordance with international law, as we expect others to respect the right to do the same.” I stated.
Additional Reports by Fan One
