Australia has raised serious concerns regarding an incident involving a Chinese fighter jet and one of its P-8 surveillance planes in international airspace over the South China Sea. The Australian Defence Minister, Richard Marles, reported that flares deployed by the Chinese pilot came alarmingly close—within 30 meters—of the Australian aircraft.
The incident occurred earlier this week, on Tuesday, when the Australian P-8 encountered two Chinese J-16 fighter jets. In an official statement, the Australian government described the actions of the Chinese aircraft as an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre” that jeopardized the safety of Australian personnel.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,”
the statement added. The Chinese embassy in Australia has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding this incident.
Details of the encounter
During an interview with Sky News, Minister Marles elaborated on the encounter, emphasizing the danger posed by the flares fired from the Chinese jet. He noted, “The J-16 was so close that there’s no way you could have been able to ensure that the flares did not hit the P-8.” He further stated, “Had any of those flares hit the P-8, that would have definitely had the potential for significant damage to that aircraft.”
This incident marks the first known confrontation between the two nations in nine months, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region. Australia recalled a previous instance last May, when one of its helicopter pilots had to take evasive measures to steer clear of flares released by a Chinese J-10 fighter jet over the Yellow Sea.
Ongoing tensions and strategic alliances
The Australian government has also accused the Chinese navy of employing sonar pulses in international waters near Japan in November 2023, resulting in injuries to Australian divers. In response to perceived threats from China, Australia entered the trilateral Aukus security alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom in 2021. This partnership includes a significant commitment to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, marking a notable shift in Australia’s defense strategy.