Albo hits back in Chinese flare clash
Anthony Albanese has repeated his criticisism of China for its “unacceptable and unprofessional” military manoeuvre, after Beijing claimed it had dropped flares near an Australian helicopter because it had acted “provocatively”.
The Prime Minister said China’s ambassador to Australia had been spoken to, as had officials after a Chinese jet dropped flares in front of an Australian Seahawk helicopters in the Yellow Sea on Saturday.
On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry accused Australia of “deliberately approaching China’s airspace”, and said the jet had taken “necessary” steps and acted in a “professional and safe” manner during the encounter.
Albo hits back in Chinese flare clash
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing had lodged “serious protests” with Canberra.
“The way the situation was handled was consistent with our laws and regulations, professional and safe,” he said.
“China has lodged serious protests to the Australian side on its risky moves. We urge Australia to immediately stop the provocations and hypes to prevent misunderstanding and miscalculation.”
But Mr Albanese told reporters on Wednesday China’s explanation “does not satisfy any change to the position we’ve taken”.
“The wording they’ve used by saying they were ‘near Chinese airspace’ is confirmation, that there’s no question the ADF personnel were both in international waters and in international airspace and undertaking work on behalf of the international community in enforcing the UN sanctions against North Korea,” he said.
He said Australia would “co-operate with China when we can and disagree when we must”, and that “this is an area of disagreement.”
The Chinese jet dropped flares about 60m above and 300m in front of the helicopter, operating off air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, while it was enforcing sanction against North Korea.
On Tuesday, Anthony Albanese vowed to protest the “unprofessional and unacceptable” conduct with Chinese Premier Li Qiang when he visits Australia next month.
“Australian Defence Force personnel were going about their job,” the Prime Minister said.
“That is part of Australia being good global citizens, and Australian Defence Force personnel should not be at risk whilst they’re doing that.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called on Mr Albanese to go further, and “pick the phone up and convey Australia’s “disgust and dismay” directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I fear that an Australian Defence Force member or members are going to lose their lives at some point because there will be an error in judgement by one of the fighter pilots or one of the naval personnel from the China side,” Mr Dutton said.
“They have put Australian lives at risk and that is completely unacceptable.”