Australia Warns China After Dangerous Military Jet Encounter

Mon Oct 20 2025 21:39:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Australia has raised concerns with China following an incident where a Chinese military aircraft allegedly released flares near an Australian patrol jet over the South China Sea. The Australian defense forces urge all nations to maintain professional military conduct.

In a recent encounter over the South China Sea, Australia accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares in close proximity to its P-8A patrol jet. The Australian government has described the maneuver as 'unsafe and unprofessional'. While no harm came to the Australian personnel, tensions have risen as both nations assert conflicting claims over airspace sovereignty. The incident coincided with discussions regarding military cooperation between Australia, the US, and the UK under the Aukus agreement.

Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares in close proximity to its patrol jet over the South China Sea.

The Australian government has raised its concern with Beijing over the unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre, the defense department said in a statement on Monday.

There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter.

A Chinese military spokesperson stated that the Australian jet illegally intruded into China's airspace and had to be expelled.

The Australian aircraft's actions seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty, Senior Colonel Li Jianjian, spokesperson for China's Southern Theater Command Air Force said, urging Canberra to immediately cease its infringing and provocative actions.

Australia Defence Force stated it expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner.

This is the latest in a series of encounters between the two countries' militaries in the region, where China's vast claims overlap with those of its neighbors.

Sunday's incident occurred while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was on his way to the US for a meeting with President Donald Trump, where they are expected to discuss the Aukus—a multi-billion dollar submarine deal involving Australia, the US, and the UK.

Australia has also previously accused a Chinese jet of dropping flares near an Australian plane in the area in February. At that time, China claimed the Australian jet had intentionally intruded into its airspace, stating its response was lawful and restrained.

While Australia has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, it has aligned itself with the US and allies in asserting that China's territorial assertions have no legal basis.

In May last year, Australia accused a Chinese fighter plane of dropping flares close to an Australian navy helicopter that was part of a UN Security Council mission in the Yellow Sea off the Korean coastline.

Last November, Canberra accused the Chinese navy of utilizing sonar pulses in international waters off Japan, resulting in injuries to Australian divers.