Australia, China trade accusations following incident in airspace above South China Sea

China has said an RAAF P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, an example of which is pictured above, intruded into its territorial airspace without Chinese approval. (Australian DoD)

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) expressed concern on 20 October at what it said was an unsafe interaction with a Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft in airspace over the South China Sea.

In response, a PLAAF spokesperson said the incident involved a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that illegally intruded into China's territorial airspace.

According to the DoD, the P-8A was conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea on 19 October when the PLAAF Su-35 released flares “in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft”.

The DoD added, “This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel.” The DoD said that no injuries were sustained by the RAAF personnel nor was damage caused to the P-8A.

The DoD said that Australia expects all countries, including China, to “operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner”.

It added, “For decades, the [Australian Defence Force] has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”

Elaborating on the incident, Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said it took place in “international airspace, above international waters”. He described the Su-35's manoeuvre to come alongside the P-8A as “pretty routine” and the Su-35's release of flares as a “standard form of interaction between two military aircraft”.