• Australia accuses a Chinese fighter jet of conducting unsafe maneuvers in the South China Sea.
• A Chinese J-16 jet released flares that passed within 30 meters of an Australian P-8 Poseidon aircraft.
• The incident has prompted both nations to exchange strong diplomatic protests.
• Australia maintains that China’s actions jeopardize international law and safety over contested waters.
• China insists the Australian aircraft violated its airspace and sovereignty rights.

Australia has raised serious concerns with China over what it describes as an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter involving a Chinese J-16 fighter jet that released flares near an Australian maritime surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea on February 11. According to Defence Minister Richard Marles, the flares came alarmingly close, passing within 30 meters (about 100 feet) of the P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane during a routine patrol in international waters. Marles emphasized the potential dangers of such a reckless act, stating that if the flares had struck the Australian aircraft, it could have resulted in significant damage. The Australian government has formally expressed its concerns to Beijing through diplomatic channels both in Canberra and directly in China following the incident. In response to Australia's allegations, the Chinese foreign ministry accused the Australian plane of intruding into Chinese airspace without permission, particularly around the Paracel Islands, which have been a longstanding point of contention. Beijing's spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, labeled the Australian aircraft's presence as a provocation and stated that China's actions were justified in expelling the intruder to protect its sovereignty. These recent altercations underscore ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, an area where China asserts extensive territorial claims that have not been legally upheld by international courts. The current episode follows a series of military confrontations between the two nations over the past few years, including accusations involving both air force and navy actions that have been characterized as either aggressive or unprofessional from one side or the other. This incident marks the first significant military clash publicly acknowledged by Australia in about nine months, reflecting an increasingly volatile operational environment in the contested waters. While Australia claims no territorial rights over the South China Sea, it aligns closely with the United States and other allies in navigating these geopolitical tensions. The Department of Defence continues to monitor Chinese naval activities, including recent movements of Chinese vessels into areas near Australia's maritime boundaries. Officials insist that Australia will uphold its rights to freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, urging other nations to likewise respect these principles. The interaction not only highlights the degradation in military relations but also impacts broader international diplomatic engagements between Australia and China moving forward. For further details, refer to the original articles from SCMP, BBC, The Jakarta Post, CBS News, and SCMP.