MELBOURNE: Australia has protested to Beijing that a Chinese fighter jet endangered an Australian navy helicopter with flares in international waters, officials said Monday. The incident occurred on Saturday as the Australian air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart was enforcing UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea in international waters in the Yellow Sea, the defence department said.
A Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet released flares in the flight path of an Australian navy Seahawk deployed from the Hobart 300 metres in front of the helicopter and 60 metres above, defence minister Richard Marles said. “This was an incident which was both unsafe and unprofessional,” Marles told Nine News television. “We will not be deterred from engaging in lawful activities and activities which are there to enforce UN sanctions in respect of North Korea,” Marles added.
There were no injuries or damage, the defence department said, adding the Australian government expressed concerns to the Chinese govt. There was no immediate comment from Beijing on Monday.
A Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet released flares in the flight path of an Australian navy Seahawk deployed from the Hobart 300 metres in front of the helicopter and 60 metres above, defence minister Richard Marles said. “This was an incident which was both unsafe and unprofessional,” Marles told Nine News television. “We will not be deterred from engaging in lawful activities and activities which are there to enforce UN sanctions in respect of North Korea,” Marles added.
There were no injuries or damage, the defence department said, adding the Australian government expressed concerns to the Chinese govt. There was no immediate comment from Beijing on Monday.
