Australia criticises 'unsafe' Chinese fighter jet interaction in South China Sea

13/2/2025 15:45

Australia has raised concerns with China over what it said was "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by a Chinese fighter jet towards an Australian maritime patrol in the South China Sea on Tuesday.



A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance patrol in international waters in the South China Sea when a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet released flares within 30 metres (100 feet) of the RAAF aircraft, Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.



"That is an action that we've declared as being unsafe. We have made representations about our concerns to the Chinese government both yesterday and today here in Canberra, but also in Beijing," Marles said in a television interview with Sky News Australia.



The Chinese embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Australia's defence department also noted that a Chinese navy task group was operating in Australia's north.