Overview
- The Australian government says a PLA-AF Su-35 released flares in close proximity to an RAAF P-8A Poseidon over the South China Sea on 19 October.
- Defence Minister Richard Marles says flares were fired on two occasions and two were "very close" to the Australian aircraft, which was on a surveillance patrol.
- Canberra has lodged concerns with the Chinese embassy in Canberra and through Australia’s embassy in Beijing, describing the interaction as unsafe and unprofessional.
- China’s Southern Theatre Command accuses the P-8A of illegally entering airspace over the Xisha (Paracel) Islands and warns Australia to stop what it calls provocations.
- Officials note this is at least the third such encounter in 18 months, as Australia maintains its operations are consistent with UNCLOS and conducted in international airspace.