Australia has protested an incident over the South China Sea where a Chinese fighter jet released flares that almost hit a P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane. The J-16 fighter jet came within 30 meters (100 feet) of the aircraft in daylight and international airspace, Defense Minister Richard Marles said.
The Australian plane carries eight or nine crew members and was not damaged during the close call. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused the Australian military aircraft of “deliberately” intruding into Chinese airspace over the disputed Paracel Islands. However, Australia protested the interaction as an “unsafe and unprofessional” maneuver that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.
This incident is the first significant clash between Chinese and Australian forces that Australia has disclosed in nine months. Tensions have escalated in the South China Sea due to maritime rights disputes with countries like the Philippines, who have clashed with China over reefs and islets. The recent close call highlights ongoing military confrontations in the region despite improved diplomatic relations between Australia and China.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/australia-china-jet-flares-almost-hit-spy-plane-south-china-sea