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Seong Hyeon Choi

Zhao Ziwen

China and Australia exchanged accusations on Monday after an encounter over the disputed South China Sea, with the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command Air Force saying that it drove away a P-8A military aircraft that illegally intruded into Chinese airspace.
“The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command organised naval and air forces to track and monitor the intruder in accordance with regulations, implement effective countermeasures, and issue warnings to drive it away,” Senior Colonel Li Jianjian, a spokesperson for the command, said in a statement.
Li said the incident happened in airspace over the Paracel Islands, which are known as the Xisha Islands in China.
“Australia’s actions seriously infringed upon China’s sovereignty and could easily trigger maritime and aerial incidents,” Li said, adding that the command warned Australia to immediately cease its “provocations”.
“Our forces remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability.”
The statement came after Australia’s defence ministry on Monday said it expressed “concerns” to Beijing over the “unsafe and unprofessional” manoeuvres of a PLA Air Force jet over the South China Sea, accusing the crew of releasing flares close to an Australian patrol aircraft.
According to a ministry statement, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft encountered the PLA Air Force’s Russian-made Su-35 fighter aircraft while conducting a maritime surveillance patrol over the South China Sea on Sunday.
During their encounter, the Chinese jet released flares in proximity to the Australian aircraft, it said.
“This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel,” the ministry said, adding that no injuries or damage were reported.




The Australian defence ministry said it had conducted maritime surveillance activities in the region for decades in accordance with international law and that it “expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner”.
“We have advocated or raised this issue with the Chinese embassy here in Canberra and we have also made representations via our embassy in Beijing,” Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Monday.
“Freedom of navigation in the air and on the sea is fundamental to Australia’s national interests. We reiterate that the majority of Australia’s trade goes through the South China Sea.”
It was not the first time that the PLA Air Force released flares near Australian military aircraft in the region. In February, two Chinese J-16 aircraft deployed flares that passed within 30 metres (100 feet) of another Australian P-8A.
China’s foreign ministry said at the time that Australia had “deliberately intruded” into China’s airspace and “jeopardised” its national security.
A Chinese fighter jet was also accused of intercepting an Australian Seahawk helicopter in international airspace in May 2024, dropping flares across its flight path.
The US and its allies, including Australia, have routinely conducted freedom of navigation exercises in the international waters and airspace in the South China Sea.
Beijing also claims other key islands in the resource-rich waters, which are also contested by other Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. Beijing has refused to recognise a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its expansive claims over the waterway.
The P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, which is based on the Boeing 737 commercial plane, is often used in freedom of navigation exercises. It is designed for military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and can be configured for anti-submarine capabilities.


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South China Sea

China, Australia trade blame after PLA jet releases flares in mid-air encounter

China says it drove away an Australian P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane from the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Sunday, while Australia’s defence ministry raised concerns with Beijing over “unsafe” measures. Photo: Reuters 

South China Sea: China slams Australian military plane for ‘intruding’ into its airspace

China on Thursday hit back at the Australian military, accusing an Australian P-8A Poseidon aircraft of deliberately intruding into its airspace. Photo: Royal Australian Defence Force 

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says Canberra has protested over the activities of a Chinese military jet. Photo: AP

Chinese jet accused of dropping flares near Australian plane patrolling South China Sea

Australia accused a Chinese J-16 fighter jet of dropping flares near its military plane patrolling the South China Sea. Photo: AP


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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian government has reached out to Beijing to raise concerns over what he described as a “dangerous maneuver” between a Chinese fighter jet and an Australian surveillance plane over the South China Sea. Photo: dpa

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PLA Air Force commander warns against ‘provocations’ after Poseidon maritime patrol plane driven away from Paracel Islands on Sunday


PLA Air Force commander warns against ‘provocations’ after Poseidon maritime patrol plane driven away from Paracel Islands on Sunday.


China, Australia trade blame after PLA jet releases flares in mid-air encounter

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}PLA Air Force commander warns against ‘provocations’ after Poseidon maritime patrol plane driven away from Paracel Islands on Sunday

PLA Air Force commander warns against ‘provocations’ after Poseidon maritime patrol plane driven away from Paracel Islands on Sunday