Australia Condemns 'Unsafe' Chinese Military Jet Maneuvers

Mon Oct 20 2025 16:56:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent incident over the South China Sea, Australia's defense forces have expressed concerns regarding a Chinese military aircraft's dangerous maneuvers near their patrol jet, calling for safer military practices.

The Australian government has lodged a complaint with China after a military aircraft reportedly released flares near an Australian patrol jet. This incident raises alarms over safety standards in military operations amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Australia's defense officials emphasized the need for all countries to maintain professionalism in military activities.

Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares in close proximity to its patrol jet over the South China Sea.

The Australian government has raised its concern with Beijing over the unsafe and unprofessional maneuver, the defense department said in a statement on Monday.

There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter.

Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner, Australia Defense Force stated.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry was unaware of the incident when asked by reporters.

This is the latest in a string of encounters between the two countries' militaries in the region, where China's vast claims over islands and outcrops overlap with those of its neighbors.

Sunday's incident also occurred as Australia's Prime Minister was heading to the US for a meeting with President Donald Trump, where the two leaders are expected to discuss the AUKUS - a multi-billion dollar submarine deal between Australia, the US, and the UK.

Australia has also accused a Chinese jet of dropping flares near an Australian plane in the area in February. China at that time said the Australian jet had intentionally intruded into its airspace and that its response was lawful and restrained.

While Australia has no claims to the South China Sea, it has aligned closely with the US and its allies in asserting that China's territorial claims have no legal basis.

In May last year, Australia accused a Chinese fighter plane of dropping flares close to an Australian navy helicopter involved in a UN Security Council mission off the Korean coastline.

In November 2023, Canberra accused Beijing's navy of using sonar pulses in international waters off Japan, which resulted in injuries to Australian divers.