The Australian Defence Force has said one of its aircraft was approached by a Chinese military jet, which fired flares at close range. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has decried the incident as 'unsafe and unprofessional'.

Canberra

An Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft was involved in a potentially hazardous encounter with a Chinese military jet while operating in international airspace over the South China Sea. The Chinese jet fired flares in close proximity to the Australian plane on two occasions, though no injuries or damage were reported and the Australian aircraft landed safely.

Australian authorities have described the incident as unsafe and unprofessional, and have raised the matter with the Chinese Embassy in Canberra and through diplomatic channels in Beijing. Officials declined to comment on the exact proximity of the encounter. The event follows warnings from Defence Chiefs that such close encounters with the Chinese military are becoming more frequent.

Chinese military jet fires flares at Australian aircraft

some breaking news and there has been another potentially dangerous encounter between the Australian Defence Force and the Chinese military. For the latest on this our political reporter Chloe Burrus joins me now from Canberra. Chloe, what more do we know? Well we've just heard from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Miles who's called this an unsafe and unprofessional interaction between the People's Liberation Army and the Royal Australian Air Force. It happened yesterday afternoon in international airspace over the South China Sea. The Australian P-8 Poseidon was on a maritime surveillance patrol when the Chinese military jet came up alongside and fired flares at close proximity twice. How close? The Federal Government won't reveal publicly. No one was hurt and the plane landed safely. The matter has been raised with the Chinese Embassy here in Canberra and through Australia's Embassy in Beijing. No damage was done but it was dangerous and it was unsafe and inherent in that is that it could it could have been a different outcome. When asked if the timing had anything to do with Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump's meeting Richard Miles wouldn't speculate only to say this has happened before and Defence Chiefs recently warned close encounters with the PLA would become more frequent. Alright Chloe, thank you.

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