"Chinese Fighter Jets Threaten Australian Patrol Aircraft Over South China Sea... Also Scatter 'Metal Shavings'"

Australia "Only Exercised the Right to Fly Over International Waters and Airspace"
China Continues Provoking Multiple Countries in the South China Sea

Chinese military's J-16 fighter jet. Photo by Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] It has been revealed that a Chinese fighter jet threatened an Australian patrol aircraft while flying over the South China Sea.

On the 5th (local time), according to the British Guardian, the Australian Department of Defense stated that a Chinese fighter jet interfered with the activities of its patrol aircraft P-8, threatening the safety of Australia's aircraft and crew.

The incident occurred five days after Australia's federal parliamentary election on the 26th.

At the time, the Australian Air Force P-8 patrol aircraft was conducting reconnaissance flights in the South China Sea region. A patrol aircraft refers to a plane that patrols in preparation for emergencies against aircraft or other enemy activities.

At that moment, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet appeared, flew close alongside the P-8, then quickly increased speed to overtake the P-8 and positioned itself directly in front of it while flying.

It was even revealed that metal powder containing aluminum fragments was scattered. Some of this entered the P-8's engine.

Regarding this, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles strongly condemned the act, calling it "clearly very dangerous behavior."

The Australian government stated, "Australia has conducted maritime reconnaissance activities in the South China Sea for decades, which is in accordance with international law," and "has exercised the right to freely fly over international waters and their airspace," expressing serious concerns to the Chinese government.

This is not the first time China has provoked near the South China Sea.

In February, a Chinese naval vessel fired a laser beam at the Australian Air Force's anti-submarine patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon.

Also, on the 2nd, a Chinese fighter jet threatened a Canadian Air Force patrol aircraft that was monitoring North Korea's compliance with UN sanctions in the Indo-Pacific airspace.