Anthony Albanese has been grilled over China’s accusation the Australian military deliberately “trouble” when it approached Chinese airspace on Saturday.
The prime minister trod lightly in his response when probed on the tense matter by Gareth Parker of Nine, which in partnership with Business News presented ‘Breakfast with the Prime Minister in Perth on Wednesday.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday claimed China’s jet dropped flares near the Australian Seahawk helicopter in the Yellow Sea because it had been “provoked” by the Australians.
The flares were dropped about 60m above and 300m in front of the chopper, operating off air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, while it was enforcing sanction against North Korea.
Despite the craft being in international airspace at the time, the Aussies were accused by China of “endangering” its maritime and air security.
Anthony Albanese was pressed on China dropping flares near an ADF helicopter. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sharon Smith
The event was swiftly condemned by Australian defence minister Richard Marles, who labelled it “unacceptable”, while the ADF confirmed it had expressed “concerns to the Chinese Government following an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a People’s Liberation Army – Air Force (PLA-AF) fighter aircraft”.
The prime minister on Wednesday however, claimed that in its own way, China had agreed with Australia’s position that the helicopter was within its right to be flying where it was.
“When you look at the comments, they say, ‘approaching [Chinese airspace]’. So it’s a confirmation that Australia, the chopper, was in international airspace,” Mr Albanese said.
An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter embarked on HMAS Parramatta deploys Counter Measure Dispense System flares during a training flight conducted on a deployment through South East Asia. Picture: Department of Defence
“We’re in international waters, international airspace, upholding international law through the UN sanctions.”
