Australia condemns unsafe airspace encounter and rejects Chinese allegations RAAF plane deliberately intruded
GuardianFeb 14
China-Australia Clash Over South China Sea Aerial Incident
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Above: A J-16 fighter jet flies during the 15th Airshow China 2024, on Nov.12, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. Image copyright: Chen Jimin/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
The Facts
An Australian P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft encountered a Chinese J-16 fighter jet over the South China Sea on Tuesday, resulting in the Chinese aircraft releasing flares within 30m of the Australian plane.
China responded, stating it had taken "legitimate, lawful, professional, and restrained measures" to expel the Australian plane that deliberately "violated China's sovereignty and undermined China's national security."
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also said that Australia "should stop infringing on China's sovereignty and refrain from undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea." Beijing has formally protested to Australia over the incident.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
The Australian military aircraft was conducting legitimate routine maritime surveillance in international airspace when it encountered unprofessional and dangerous behavior from the Chinese fighter jet, which posed unnecessary risks to aircraft and personnel through the reckless deployment of flares at close range.
Pro-China narrative
The Australian military aircraft deliberately violated Chinese sovereignty by intruding on territorial airspace over the Xisha Islands without permission, necessitating legitimate, professional, and restrained measures to expel the intruding aircraft and protect national security interests.
