Australia accuses China fighter jet of ‘unsafe’ conduct above South China Sea
Sydney, Australiaaustraliachinadiplomacymilitary
13 february,2025
The mid-air incident is the latest in a string of episodes between China and Australia in the increasingly contested airspace and shipping lanes of Asia.
A Chinese fighter jet was accused of intercepting an Australian Seahawk helicopter in international airspace in 2024, dropping flares across its flight path.
In 2023, a Chinese destroyer was accused of bombarding submerged Australian navy divers with sonar pulses in waters off Japan, causing minor injuries.
The divers had been sailing on an Australian navy frigate, the HMAS Toowoomba, tasked with supporting sanctions enforcement efforts in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,” the defence department said on Thursday.
“For decades, the (Australian Defence Force) has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”
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© Agence France-Presse
