Sunday 5 June 2022 10:37 PM Beijing hits back at Australia after Chinese aircraft intercepted spy plane in ... trends now
Beijing has hit back at Australia after the country slammed a Chinese fighter jet for intercepting one of its spy planes in a 'very dangerous' mid-air incident.
It was announced on Sunday that an RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft was carrying out maritime surveillance in the South China Sea when it was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft on May 26.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles blasted it as a 'dangerous manoeuvre' while prime minister Anthony Albanese raised his concerns directly with China.
The Global Times, which is the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece, published an opinion piece accusing Australia of acting like a 'little bully'.
It was announced on Sunday that an RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft was carrying out maritime surveillance in the South China Sea when it was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft on May 26
Minister for Defence Richard Marles blasted it as a 'dangerous manoeuvre' by the J-16 fighter jet while prime minister Anthony Albanese raised his concerns directly with the Chinese government
It claimed the government had failed to address several questions about the operation in the South China Sea.
'For example, where exactly in the South China Sea is the area in which the incident occurred?' it read.
'How far is it from the Chinese islands and reefs in the region? What is their purpose here? Furthermore, what did the Australian military aircraft do before the intercept?'
The media outlet said it was the latest claim made by Australia in its campaign of 'groundless' accusations against China.
On February 17, Defence said a Chinese navy vessel directed a laser at a P-8A Poseidon as it flew over Australia's northern approaches.
The incident was slammed and Defence warned it could have endangered the safety and lives of Australian Defence Force personnel.
The Global Times claimed there was evidence proving the P-8A was flying too close to the Chinese vessel and said the Australian military had become a 'professional for blackmail'.
The Global Times said it was the latest claim made by Australia in its campaign of 'groundless' accusations against China
'This time, Marles also pretended to be 'the weak' and said in front of a reporter's microphone that Australia will not be deterred by China's intimidation,' the article read.
'This is obviously a tone favored by American and Western journalists, and Australian politicians are well versed in it and pick what they want to hear.'
