Chinese fighter jets endanger Australian spy planes over the South China Sea

An Australian P-8A Poseidon spy plane – Photo: Australian Department of Defense

June 7th, China said it warned an Australian military plane to leave after it was intercepted by a Beijing fighter jet over the South China Sea on May 26.

China will never allow any country to violate China’s security and sovereignty in the name of freedom of navigation, and endanger peace and stability in the South China Sea. out reaction.

The agency warned Australia to stop provocative activities and limit the activities of the navy and air force or face “serious consequences”.

Meanwhile, the Australian side confirmed that its P-8 spy plane was dangerously interfered by a Chinese fighter jet while carrying out a maritime reconnaissance journey in international airspace. According to Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, the Chinese plane flew very close to the front of the P-8 and dropped a bag of aluminum fragments into the engine of the spy plane.

“The dangerous interference posed a threat to the safety of the P-8 aircraft and its crew,” the Australian Department of Defense said in a statement on June 5. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his administration had expressed concerns to the Chinese side through multiple channels.

Australia previously joined the US in rejecting China’s claims to Vietnam’s South China Sea islands. Australia’s Department of Defense confirmed that it has carried out maritime surveillance in the region for decades and will continue to operate “in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight over the high seas and international airspace”.

Similarly, diplomatic tensions between China and Canada are also increasing again when the two countries accuse each other of flying military aircraft near North Korean territory for provocation and harassment.

On June 6, China’s Foreign Ministry warned Canada of “serious consequences” of any “risky provocation”, after the Canadian military last week accused a Chinese fighter jet. harassed a Canadian patrol plane that was monitoring North Korea’s compliance with sanctions.