South China Sea: Australia PM insists Chinese jet’s ‘very dangerous’ intercept of patrol plane was in ‘international airspace’
- Australia said the Chinese plane cut in front of its patrol aircraft and released aluminium strips known as chaff, some of which was ingested into its engines
- China’s defence ministry said the Australian aircraft came near the airspace of the disputed Paracel Islands, threatening China’s sovereignty and security
“This incident occurred in international airspace. Full stop,” Albanese told a news conference.
China’s defence ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said on Tuesday that the Australian P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft came near the airspace of the disputed Paracel Islands – known as Xisha in China. Tan said the Chinese side “issued a warning to drive it away”.
He accused the Australian plane of threatening China’s sovereignty and security, and the government of spreading “false information”.
Australia says the Chinese plane cut in front of its patrol aircraft and released chaff, some of which was ingested into its engines. Chaff is designed to confuse radar-guided missiles.
Australia says Chinese jet dangerously intercepted surveillance plane
Speculation of a thaw in frosty relations between Australia and China after Albanese’s centre-left Labor Party won May 21 elections has been short-lived.
But the two countries have since sparred over the jet incident and their rival diplomatic and security ambitions in the South Pacific region.