China accuses Australia of deliberate provocation in South China Sea

14/2/2025 15:21

China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading "false narratives", though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.



The incident, in which Australia's defence minister said a Chinese PLA J-16 jet released flares within 30m of an RAAF aircraft, comes amid ties strained by navy and air force interactions that Australia has called dangerous.



Friday's comments came a day after Australia flagged "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by the jet towards the patrol which it said was on routine surveillance in international waters on Tuesday, an account Beijing disputes.



"Australia deliberately infringed upon China's rights in the South China Sea and provoked China, yet it was the villain who complained first, spreading false narratives," said Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese defence ministry.



Zhang accused the Australian military aircraft of ignoring the main routes in the busy waterway, saying it "broke into the homes" of others, and adding that China's response was reasonable and a legitimate defence of sovereignty.



"We urge Australia to abandon its illusion of speculation and adventure," Zhang said.