Government accuses China of ‘unsafe’ encounter with military aircraft

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The Albanese government has accused the Chinese military of unsafe behaviour after a People’s Liberation Army aircraft was again involved in an encounter with the Australian Air Force.

The revelation of the encounter, which happened on Sunday, comes just hours before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first meeting with US President Donald Trump, where relations with China will feature prominently.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government had raised concerns with the Chinese embassy in Canberra and authorities in Beijing about the incident.

Marles said that the Chinese aircraft had released flares in “very close” proximity to the Australian aircraft, putting the lives of Australian personnel at risk.

“Having reviewed this incident very carefully, we deem this to be both unsafe and unprofessional,” he told reporters.

Marles said the Australian aircraft was operating in international airspace above international waters.

The government said in a statement on Monday afternoon that it had expressed concerns to the Chinese government over what it labelled an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction”.

“The safety and wellbeing of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority,” the statement said.

“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner.”

The incident is one of several recent dangerous encounters between the Chinese and Australian militaries.

In February, the government revealed a Poseidon aircraft was involved in another “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with a Chinese aircraft while conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea.

This followed a similar event in May 2024, when a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares dangerously close to an Australian helicopter operating on a United Nations mission in international waters in the Yellow Sea.

More to come