China has accused Australia of intruding into its airspace over the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The Chinese foreign ministry said it expelled a Chinese military jet after it conducted “unsafe” manoeuvres, claiming Australia’s plane had entered the islands without permission.
The accusation comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations over the region’s rich natural resources and strategic importance. China claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands, as well as other key islands in the South China Sea, while Vietnam also asserts control.
Australia’s Department of Defence earlier said a Chinese J-16 fighter jet had undertaken “unsafe and unprofessional” actions towards an Australian maritime surveillance plane in the disputed waters. The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two countries, with China demanding that Australia stop violating its sovereignty and provoking peace and stability in the region.
Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3298572/south-china-sea-china-slams-australian-military-plane-intruding-its-airspace