In its first detailed response to Canberra’s accusation that a Chinese fighter jet intercepted an RAAF plane on May 26, China’s Ministry of Defense said on Monday that the Australian plane had been identified as a “Serious threat to China’s sovereignty and security.”
Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said on Tuesday that the People’s Liberation Army had organized naval and air forces to identify the Australian plane as it entered airspace near the controversial Paracel Islands, also known as as the Xisha Islands, over which China has control, although they are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
“He ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and continued to approach the airspace of Xisha, China,” he said, according to a Chinese transcript of his statements.
“Australian military aircraft poses a serious threat to China’s sovereignty and security.”
Tan said the response measures taken by the Chinese military were professional, safe, reasonable and legal. He accused Australia of spreading false information.
“China urges Australia to stop such dangerous and provocative actions and to strictly restrict the actions of its naval and air forces; otherwise, the serious consequences will be borne by Australia, “he said.
China issued a similar warning to Canada on Monday night after Ottawa complained that Chinese warplanes were harassing its North Korean-supervised aircraft. China’s Defense Ministry said Canada should refrain from “any risky and provocative behavior” or face “serious consequences”.
China’s aggression in the South China Sea and a Washington Post report that Beijing was secretly building a naval base in Cambodia have alarmed Canberra, just weeks after Xi Jinping’s government signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands.
Canberra on Sunday staged a protest in Beijing after a Chinese J-16 fighter jet flew past it last month and then crossed a RAAF P-8 maritime surveillance plane, releasing flares and straw that was ingested by the engine.
Albanese, who is in Indonesia this week discussing tensions with China, said earlier that the interception was dangerous and posed a threat to the safety of the plane and its crew.
The incident happened in the international airspace over the South China Sea as part of a routine patrol on May 26, two days after Albanese traveled to Tokyo for the Quad Leaders Meeting.
China also warned Canada this week that it was facing “serious consequences” after Ottawa also complained that its surveillance planes that were helping to enforce UN sanctions on North Korea were being rejected by planes. Chinese.
The Canadian Armed Forces said last week that their planes were being repeatedly buzzed by Chinese planes and in some cases were forced to change course to avoid a collision.
While Beijing is making proposals to the new Albanian government to resume diplomatic dialogue, analysts said China would continue to redouble its security concerns and territorial claims in the South China Sea, as well as seek to expand its influence in the South. Pacific.