Australia won’t stand for ‘acts of intimidation’, Morrison says after China navy laser incident
- A P-8A Poseidon patrol plane earlier this week detected a laser from a Chinese naval ship sailing east through the Arafura Sea
- Australia is raising the issue directly with China through diplomatic and defence channels, Morrison says
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison branded a Chinese navy vessel pointing a laser at one of his nation’s surveillance aircraft off the northern coast an “act of intimidation”.
“I’m very concerned about the actions of using the lasers,” he said. “That is, I can see it no other way than an act of intimidation, one that was unprovoked, unwarranted and Australia will never accept such acts of intimidation.”
Australia, UK say Aukus nuclear submarine deal ‘progressing well’
Morrison said Australia was raising the laser issue directly with China through diplomatic and defence channels. “It was a reckless and irresponsible act and it should not occur,” he said.
Defense Minister Peter Dutton said the incident was an example of “aggressive bullying” by China’s military.
Australia’s opposition leader Anthony Albanese echoed those sentiments, saying the government should be “making the strongest possible statement” about the incident.
“It’s an outrageous act of aggression that should be condemned and I condemn it,” he said.
South China Sea code of conduct unlikely by end of the year: Asean experts
Australia’s defence department said the People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel involved in the laser incident was accompanying another Chinese ship and has since transited through the Torres Strait. Both are now in the Coral Sea, east of Australia, the department said.
Pointing lasers at aircraft can pose a serious risk as they can temporarily blind pilots. The Australian defence department said such actions aren’t in keeping with the standards expected of professional militaries.
“Acts like this have the potential to endanger lives,” it said. “We strongly condemn unprofessional and unsafe military conduct. These actions could have endangered the safety and lives of the Australian Defence Force personnel.”