:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/RLIVDQQJWNCUPVW5PSKKDPS474.jpg "Australia asked China for an explanation for the flare attack against a helicopter flying over the Yellow Sea")
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has demanded answers from China following a concerning incident where a Chinese fighter jet fired flares at an Australian helicopter in the Yellow Sea. The Prime Minister described the maneuvers as “unprofessional and unacceptable” and stated that his government has expressed their disapproval to Beijing.
The Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Hobart was conducting operations in international waters when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) plane engaged in the provocative behavior. Albanese emphasized that the Australian forces were carrying out important work to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea, making the actions of the Chinese fighter reckless and dangerous.
This incident comes amid growing tensions in the region over China’s military activities in the Pacific. The United States and its allies, including Australia, have been strengthening security ties in response to China’s assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a recent meeting in Hawaii, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the alliance between the US, Australia, the Philippines, and Japan in the face of China’s increasing aggression. He specifically referenced Chinese Coast Guard operations in the South China Sea, which have raised concerns among regional countries.
Albanese expressed hope that China will provide an explanation for the incident and emphasized the need for transparency and responsible behavior in international waters. The Australian government is awaiting a response from Beijing while working towards normalization of relations between the two countries.