The Albanese government has accused the Chinese military of unsafe behaviour after a People’s Liberation Army aircraft was again involved in an encounter with the Australian Air Force.
The revelation of the encounter, which happened on Sunday, comes just hours before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first meeting with US President Donald Trump, where relations with China will feature prominently.
An Australian P-8A Poseidon.Credit: defence.gov.au
The government said in a statement on Monday afternoon that it had expressed concerns to the Chinese government over what it labelled an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction”.
“On 19 October 2025, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducting a maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea experienced an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a PLA-AF Su-35 fighter aircraft,” the government said in a statement.
“The PLA-AF aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft. This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel.
“No injuries were sustained by Australian Defence Force personnel, nor was damage caused to the RAAF P-8A. The safety and wellbeing of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner.”
More to come
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