Australia condemns unsafe airspace encounter and rejects Chinese allegations RAAF plane deliberately intruded
GuardianFEB 19
China-Australia Clash Over South China Sea Aerial Incident
Above: A J-16 fighter jet flies during the 15th Airshow China 2024, on Nov.12, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. Image copyright: Chen Jimin/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
The Australian military aircraft was conducting legitimate routine maritime surveillance in international airspace when it encountered unprofessional and dangerous behavior from the Chinese fighter jet, which posed unnecessary risks to aircraft and personnel through the reckless deployment of flares at close range.
Pro-China narrative
The Australian military aircraft deliberately violated Chinese sovereignty by intruding on territorial airspace over the Xisha Islands without permission, necessitating legitimate, professional, and restrained measures to expel the intruding aircraft and protect national security interests.