Australia Raises Alarm Over Chinese Jet Incident in South China Sea

AUAustralia|

Australia has expressed serious concerns regarding what it describes as "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by a Chinese fighter jet towards an Australian maritime patrol aircraft in the South China Sea. The event occurred on Tuesday when a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon was conducting a routine surveillance patrol and a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet released flares within 30 meters of the Australian aircraft, according to Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Officials in Canberra reported that they lodged formal complaints with the Chinese government regarding the incident, which they consider dangerous. In a statement, Marles explained, "We have made representations about our concerns to the Chinese government both yesterday and today."

China's foreign ministry has contested the Australian account, asserting that the Australian aircraft had "deliberately intruded" into its airspace and posed a threat to its national security. Amid these tensions, Australia's Defence Department also noted that a Chinese navy task group has been operating near Australia's northern maritime approaches.

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