MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — China’s account blaming Australia for a dangerous clash between their military aircraft in international airspace over the Yellow Sea failed to undermine Australian objections, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. The Chinese and Australians lodged official protests and blamed each other for a Chinese warplane’s extraordinary use of flares against an Australian navy helicopter Saturday. The Seahawk’s pilot had to “take evasive action” to avoid flares that were dropped in the helicopter’s flightpath by a Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet, Australian officials said. There was no injury or damage done, although experts warned the helicopter could have been forced to ditch at sea if an engine had been struck by a flare. Australia publicly accused China of unprofessional and unacceptable behavior, while China retorted that the Seahawk deliberately flew close to China’s airspace in a “provocative move.” |
Xi, Uzbek President Hold Talks, Elevate Ties to AllBeijing bolsters mediation efforts, seeks lasting peace1 year on, crossMexican embassy staff leave Ecuador after break in diplomatic tiesWill Biden address the Agent Orange legacy during his visit to Asia?Discharge is against right to clean environment, activist saysPalestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 33,729: ministryEcuador's former vice president taken to hospital after arrestChile to recall ambassador from Venezuela for consultationsPakistan's PM says Belt and Road comes with benefits