China’s stance has heightened tensions with the United States and its allies, which insist on freedom of navigation within the space
China’s stance has heightened tensions with the United States and its allies, which insist on freedom of navigation within the space
Beijing on Monday warned Australia to “act prudently” or face “serious consequences” after Canberra accused a Chinese fighter jet of dangerously intercepting one among its spy planes over the South China Sea.
Australia has argued it’s not uncommon for it to undertake surveillance flights within the South China Sea — a area Beijing insists comes below its area regardless of a 2016 Hague ruling that dismissed its claims.
China’s stance has heightened tensions with the United States and its allies, which insist on freedom of navigation within the space.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles mentioned on Sunday {that a} Chinese J-16 fighter intercepted a P-8 surveillance plane late final month, in a “dangerous” manoeuvre that put the protection of the Australian Defence Force crew in danger.
But Beijing hit again on Monday, saying it might “never allow any country to infringe upon China’s sovereignty and security… under the pretext of freedom of navigation”.
“China once again urges Australia to earnestly respect China’s national security interests and core interests, act and speak prudently to avoid a miscalculation occurring that results in serious consequences,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian informed reporters.
The incident comes three months after Australia accused the Chinese navy of shining a military-grade laser at one among Canberra’s defence planes over waters north of Australia, which the earlier authorities labelled an “act of intimidation”.
Mr. Zhao mentioned on Monday that China’s navy has all the time carried out operations in a “safe, standard and professional manner” in keeping with worldwide regulation.
Last week, Canada additionally accused Chinese pilots of almost inflicting a mid-air collision throughout latest encounters in worldwide airspace because the Canadians took half in efforts to implement United Nations sanctions on North Korea.
China’s Defence Ministry retorted on Monday that its pilots took “reasonable, forceful, safe and professional measures” in response to “provocative behaviour” by the Canadian navy.
Source: www.thehindu.com
