China and Australia trade accusations after South China Sea aircraft encounter - Assalamu alaykum
Assalamu alaykum. China and Australia have exchanged strong accusations after Australia said a Chinese jet released flares near one of its patrol planes over the South China Sea.
China’s Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Jiang Bin said on Tuesday that Beijing lodged a “solemn” complaint with Australia, accusing Canberra of trying to hide what it called an illegal incursion by an Australian military aircraft into Chinese airspace. He also said Australia’s defense statement unfairly blamed China and urged Australia to control its frontline naval and air forces to avoid harming bilateral ties.
Australia’s Ministry of Defence had earlier described the Sunday incident as “unsafe and unprofessional,” saying a Chinese fighter aircraft released flares close to an Australian plane conducting a maritime surveillance patrol. Australia said it has carried out such patrols for decades in line with international law. Australia did not give an exact location, while China said the event happened over the Xisha Islands, Beijing’s name for the Paracels-territory also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
The two countries have had similar exchanges before, including an incident in February. The South China Sea remains a major point of tension: China claims almost the entire sea despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that rejected that claim. The busy waterway is a wider flashpoint involving the United States and several regional neighbors over trade, security, and territory.
Australia’s statement came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with US President Donald Trump in Washington, where they signed an agreement for Australia to supply rare earths and critical minerals to the US after China tightened some export controls. The leaders also discussed Australia’s plan to obtain and build nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security partnership with the UK and US. Beijing repeated its opposition to the pact, saying it risks bloc confrontation and an arms race.
May Allah keep the region safe and guide leaders toward peaceful solutions.
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