The Australian defense department reported a dangerous encounter on Monday: a Chinese fighter jet released flares alarmingly close to an Australian Air Force aircraft patrolling the South China Sea.
This incident comes at a critical time, just as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares for his inaugural White House meeting with President Trump. Australia faces the delicate task of balancing its strong alliance with the United States against its significant economic ties with China, its largest trading partner.
This latest skirmish in the South China Sea underscores ongoing confrontations in a region where China is increasingly flexing its military might. Such displays of power have deeply concerned Australia, prompting a reevaluation of its substantial military reliance on the United States.
Under the Biden administration, Australia further solidified this dependence by entering a nuclear submarine pact with the United States and Britain. However, the Trump administration announced in June that it was re-examining whether this agreement aligned with its “America First” policy.
For many years, Chinese fighter jets have been accused by Australia, the United States, and Canada of flying perilously close to their aircraft and executing other dangerous maneuvers. Conversely, China has maintained that these nations’ patrols threaten its national security.
Sunday’s event appears to follow this established pattern of volatile encounters.
In an official statement released Monday, Australia’s Department of Defense detailed how a Chinese Su-35 fighter jet deployed flares near a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The Australian aircraft was reportedly engaged in routine maritime surveillance over the South China Sea when the incident occurred.
“This was an unsafe and unprofessional maneuver that posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel,” stated the defense department, confirming that Australia had officially raised its concerns with the Chinese government.
Countering this, China’s Southern Theater Command Air Force issued a statement asserting that the Australian aircraft had entered China’s airspace above the Paracel Islands — a contested archipelago on the western edge of the South China Sea, also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan — without authorization.
The Chinese statement further explained that its forces were mobilized to track and warn off the Australian aircraft, adding that Australia’s actions constituted a “serious violation of China’s sovereignty.”
During his White House discussions with President Trump on Monday, Prime Minister Albanese is anticipated to advocate for Australia as an alternative source of rare earth minerals for the United States. Earlier this month, China’s move to restrict the export of these crucial metals highlighted the importance of strong allies like Australia in counterbalancing China’s global influence.
Mr. Albanese is also expected to seek progress on trade negotiations and secure a renewed commitment to the submarine deal.
Back in February, a fleet of Chinese navy ships undertook an unannounced journey around Australia. While these naval movements were permissible under international law, their unprecedented southward venture raised significant alarms across Australia.