Australia said Thursday that Chinese fighters dropped flares near Australian Air Force planes patrol the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of “dangerous” military action.
Beijing fought back quickly, accusing Australian planes of “violating China’s sovereignty and putting China’s national security at risk.”
China has argued almost everything in the South China Sea despite its conclusion that there is no legal basis for this despite its 2016 international ruling.
The Australian plane was flying “regular” surveillance patrols across the waters contested on February 11th, when Chinese aircraft approached, Canberra’s Pentagon said Thursday.
The Shenyan J-16 Strike Jet has “released” “close and close flaring” to Australia’s Poseidon surveillance plane, calling it “a dangerous and unprofessional operation that poses risk to aircraft and personnel.” .
The bureau said the Australian government had “expressed concerns” with China about the incident.
“Without China’s permission, Australian military aircraft would deliberately invade airspace around China’s Xisha Islands,” Guo Zi-Kun, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.
“China’s measures to expel aircraft were legal, legal, professional and restrained,” Guo said.
He demanded that Beijing “preserved strict expressions” in Canberra, and that “infringement and provocation” be ended.
“Possibility of serious damage”
The Australian Defense Minister said the Flair passed within 30 meters (100 feet) of the aircraft, usually carrying around nine out of nine.
Although none of them were injured, Marless said the move raised “a possibility of serious damage.”
He told Sky News that authorities expressed dissatisfaction with their Chinese counterparts in Canberra and Beijing.
The responsibilities coincided with the arrival of three Chinese naval vessels in waters northeasterly of mainland Australia.
Pentagon officials said Chinese frigates and cruisers were found to tow a supply tanker near Australia’s “maritime approach.”
Marles said it appears to have nothing to do with the aircraft incident, but the Australian Navy sent its own frigate to scatter the voyage.
“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.” The Department of Defense said.
“Defense will continue to monitor task groups’ activities in Australia’s maritime approach, combining capabilities including aviation and maritime assets.”
A series of incidents
The air incident is the latest in a series of episodes between China and Australia in increasingly contested airspace and Asian shipping lanes.
Chinese fighters were accused of intercepting an Australian Seahawk helicopter in international airspace last May, dropping flares across the flight path.
In 2023, the Chinese destroyer was accused of bombing an Australian Navy diver with sonar pulses in waters off the coast of Japan, causing minor injuries.
The diver was sailing on the Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba. This was tasked with supporting sanctions enforcement efforts in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
“Australia expects that all countries, including China, will operate their troops in a safe and professional way,” the Department of Defense said Thursday.
“For decades, the (Australian Defence Force) has been conducting maritime surveillance activities in the region, and in accordance with international law, it exercises its freedom of navigation and the right to overfly in international waters and airspace. ”
Published – February 14th, 2025 03:05 AM IST
