Australia says Chinese fighter jet released flares that almost hit spy plane over South China Sea
Australia protested on Thursday what it called “unsafe and unprofessional” interactions South China Sea A Chinese fighter jet is accused of releasing flares, endangering Australian military surveillance aircraft.
Defense Secretary Richard Marles said Thursday that a Chinese J-16 fighter released a flare on Tuesday, surveillance of jets at 30 meters (100 feet) in sunlight and in international space Flares were released from the machine.
Australian aircraft usually carry eight or nine crew members. Mars said the plane was not damaged and no crew members were injured.
“The J-16 is so close that you can’t make sure the flare isn’t reaching the P-8,” Mars told Sky News.
He added: “If these flares hit the P-8, it would definitely cause significant damage to the aircraft.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun in turn accuses Australian military aircraft of “deliberately” invading the airspace and tumbling into the controversial Paracel Islands, which China claims.
“China’s measures to expel aircraft are legal, legal, professional and restricted,” Guo said.
Mars said Australia protested in its capital Canberra and protested in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.
A statement said the protests accused two Chinese pilots of “unsafe and unprofessional maneuvers pose risks to aircraft and personnel.”
The protests show that despite improvements in bilateral diplomacy and trade relations, relations between the two countries remain dangerous.
FSGT Ricky Fuller / AP
The interaction was the first major conflict between China and Australian forces disclosed in nine months.
Australia accused a Chinese J-10 fighter of unsafe and unprofessional behavior towards the Yellow Sea in May last year and dropped flares on the roads of the Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter.
Australia said the helicopter pilot must take evasive actions to avoid flares.
No injuries or damage, although experts warn that if the torch hits the engine, the helicopter may be forced into a sea ditch.
At that time, China protested the helicopter heading into Chinese airspace and attempted to conduct reconnaissance during Chinese naval training.
In November 2023, Australia accused Beijing of unsafe and unprofessional interactions along the coast of Japan when divers tried to unravel fishing nets from their propellers near a Chinese destroyer near an Australian military ship. Australian Ministry of Defense says The Chinese vessel “operates the sonar installed by its hull with a safety risk of Australian divers forced to withdraw from the water.”
In 2023, former President Joe Biden officially announced that Australia will buy Nuclear-powered attack submarine Partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia from the United States Announced in 2021enabling Australia to enter a nuclear-powered submarine, which is more invisible and capable than traditionally powered vessels, as the weight of China’s military accumulation.
Tensions and military confrontation in the South China Sea have escalated in recent months. The Philippines and China have fought for years over marine rights in the South China Sea as well as reefs and islets.
Last month, Philippine police said Submarine drone The suspected person from China was recovered in the waters of the South China Sea.
In December, the Chinese Coast Guard supported by naval ships Fire powerful water cannons And blocked the Philippine Patrol. Marykay Carlson, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Accused of Beijing in social media post Putting “life at risk” by destroying the Philippines maritime operations,
