A diplomatic row is heating up between China and Australia, as both countries point the finger at each other over a “risky” and “dangerous” military manoeuvre.
Canberra has condemned and made the “appropriate diplomatic representations” to Beijing after a Chinese jet dropped flares in front of an Australian Seahawk helicopters in the Yellow Sea on Saturday.
But China has hit back, accusing the Australian helicopter of being “provocative”, and claiming it had “deliberately approached China’s airspace”, which Canberra has denied.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday said the jet had taken “necessary” steps and acted in a “professional and safe” manner during the encounter.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing had lodged “serious protests” with Canberra.
“The way the situation was handled was consistent with our laws and regulations, professional and safe,” he said.
“China has lodged serious protests to the Australian side on its risky moves. We urge Australia to immediately stop the provocations and hypes to prevent misunderstanding and miscalculation.”
The Chinese jet dropped flares about 60m above and 300m in front of the helicopter, operating off air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, while it was enforcing sanction against North Korea.
On Tuesday, Anthony Albanese vowed to protest the “unprofessional and unacceptable” conduct with Chinese Premier Li Qiang when he visits Australia next month.
“Australian Defence Force personnel were going about their job,” the Prime Minister said.
“That is part of Australia being good global citizens, and Australian Defence Force personnel should not be at risk whilst they’re doing that.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called on Mr Albanese to go further, and “pick the phone up and convey Australia’s “disgust and dismay” directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I fear that an Australian Defence Force member or members are going to lose their lives at some point because there will be an error in judgement by one of the fighter pilots or one of the naval personnel from the China side,” Mr Dutton said.
“They have put Australian lives at risk and that is completely unacceptable.”