Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares 'in close proximity' to its patrol jet over the South China Sea. The Australian government has raised its concern with Beijing over the 'unsafe and unprofessional' manoeuvre, the defence department said in a statement on Monday.
There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter. 'Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,' the Australian Defence Force stated.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry was unaware of the incident when asked by reporters. This is the latest in a string of encounters between the two countries' militaries in the region, where China's vast claims over islands and outcrops overlap with those of its neighbours.
Sunday's incident also occurred as Australian Prime Minister was heading to the US for a meeting with President Donald Trump, where the two leaders are expected to discuss the Aukus - a multi-billion dollar submarine deal between Australia, the US and the UK.
Australia has previously accused a Chinese jet of dropping flares near an Australian plane in February, with China asserting that the Australian jet had intruded into its airspace. While Australia has no claims to the South China Sea, it has allied itself closely with the US and its partners regarding China's maritime assertions.
In May last year, Australia accused a Chinese fighter plane of dropping flares close to an Australian navy helicopter involved in a UN Security Council mission in the Yellow Sea. Additionally, in November 2023, Canberra accused the Chinese navy of using sonar pulses in international waters off Japan, resulting in injuries to Australian divers.
There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter. 'Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,' the Australian Defence Force stated.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry was unaware of the incident when asked by reporters. This is the latest in a string of encounters between the two countries' militaries in the region, where China's vast claims over islands and outcrops overlap with those of its neighbours.
Sunday's incident also occurred as Australian Prime Minister was heading to the US for a meeting with President Donald Trump, where the two leaders are expected to discuss the Aukus - a multi-billion dollar submarine deal between Australia, the US and the UK.
Australia has previously accused a Chinese jet of dropping flares near an Australian plane in February, with China asserting that the Australian jet had intruded into its airspace. While Australia has no claims to the South China Sea, it has allied itself closely with the US and its partners regarding China's maritime assertions.
In May last year, Australia accused a Chinese fighter plane of dropping flares close to an Australian navy helicopter involved in a UN Security Council mission in the Yellow Sea. Additionally, in November 2023, Canberra accused the Chinese navy of using sonar pulses in international waters off Japan, resulting in injuries to Australian divers.
