Australia, China Accuse Each Other Over South China Sea Incident

Australia has expressed serious concerns over what it describes as 'unsafe and unprofessional' maneuvers by a Chinese J-16 fighter jet, which reportedly dropped flares within 30 meters of an Australian P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft conducting routine surveillance in the South China Sea. Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the incident occurred during a patrol on February 11, prompting Canberra to raise the issue with Beijing. In a swift response, China's foreign ministry accused the Australian aircraft of violating Chinese sovereignty and jeopardizing national security, claiming it had intruded into airspace around the Xisha Islands. This exchange marks another escalation in ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly regarding military activities in the contested region. Both parties continue to assert their positions, with Australia condemning China's actions as contrary to international law. The incident highlights the precarious nature of military interactions in the geopolitically sensitive South China Sea.