Chinese fighter jet accused of firing flares at Australian Navy helicopter

Australia-China relations are starting to improve in terms of trade. Regarding security issues, tensions still exist.

PLA/POOL/WANG GUOYUN

Chinese J-10 fighter jets in a Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Command exercise fire rockets at surface targets.

CANBERRA, TUESDAY — The Australian government lodged a protest with China over accusations that Chinese fighter jets acted dangerously towards an Australian helicopter flying in international territory over the Yellow Sea. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Tuesday (7/5/2024), said he was still waiting for an explanation from China.

"We reaffirm to China that such action is unprofessional and unacceptable. We have explained this through all channels, including publicizing the issue to the Australian community," said Albanese.

Responding to Albanese's statement, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, revealed that Australian military aircraft were flying dangerously close to China's airspace. "The Chinese military took necessary action to warn Australia. China has lodged a series of protests, urging Australia to stop the provocation," he said.

Also read: Intercept China, Philippines-Australia Joint Patrol

The incident occurred on Saturday (4/5/2024) when the Australian destroyer, HMAS Hobart, carried out a UN Security Council sanctions mission against North Korea in the waters of the Yellow Sea, the China-North Korea-South Korea border, targeting North Korean smugglers. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, Sunday (5/5/2024), said that a Chinese J-10 Chengdu fighter jet fired a flare into the flight path of an Australian Navy Sea Hawk helicopter based at HMAS Hobart on Saturday evening local time.

MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS ERICA BECHARD/U.S.NAVY VIA AP

The Sea Hawk helicopter is on the deck of the US aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76), in the South China Sea, in July 2020.

He explained that the flare was fired 300 meters in front and 60 meters above the flight path of the Sea Hawk helicopter. The pilot maneuvered to avoid being hit by the explosion of the flare in the air. "If it hits the helicopter, the flare's bullet can have serious consequences," said Marles.

Despite experiencing an incident, Marles emphasized that they will not be deterred and will continue to carry out the mandate of the UN Security Council, which is to apply sanctions to North Korea. This incident is the most serious one after the Australian Government accused China's destroyer ship, CNS Ningbo, of injuring a member of the Australian Navy by emitting sonar waves in waters near Japan in November 2023.

If hit by a helicopter, the eruption of a flare can have serious consequences.

The suar incident did not cause any losses. However, Albanese said he will discuss the issue when Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang visits Australia in June.

"I cannot comment on the motivation behind the incident. Australian Armed Forces personnel were performing their duty in international waters and airspace, and they should not have been at risk while doing so," said Albanese.

AAP IMAGE VIA AP/LUKAS COCH

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is received by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 2023.

China-Australia relations are deteriorating, especially on trade, after years of mutual recriminations. Albanese made a breakthrough with a visit to Beijing last year and relations between the two began to warm.

However, when it comes to defense and security, relations between the two countries are still tense. Australia is closer to the United States, even joining the minilateral AUKUS which is considered to have been formed to stem China's influence in the Asia Pacific region.

Also read: AUKUS Will Expand Members to Defend China, Japan Becomes Candidate

Chinese President Xi Jinping has not scheduled a visit to Australia this year. However, Albanese hopes to meet with Xi at the G20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the end of 2024. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)