Tensions escalate between Canberra and Beijing over an incident in which a Chinese warship used a laser device against an Australian military plane: Australian
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday called on the Chinese government to explain the incident as a Chinese People's Army ship blinded an Australian pilot last week while flying. In the Sea of Araapura, in the area between Australia and New Guinea.
"It was a reckless, dangerous and unprofessional act for a professional navy like that of China. We want answers as to why they behaved like this. In the worst case scenario it is an act of bullying," said Morrison, adding that "they need to explain not only to Australia but to all countries. "They did. Such an incident could happen to any plane of a country that will fly here in the economic area common to all."
In Beijing, on the other hand, they rejected the allegations and even stated that Australia was maliciously distributing misinformation against China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not respond to Morrison's remarks, noting that "Chinese ships sailed according to the rules of international law. Australian information is incorrect, our navy sailed according to all international rules and practices."
The spokesman added that the Chinese government "calls on the Australian side to respect the legitimate rights of Chinese vessels in accordance with international law and to stop maliciously spreading false information about China".
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Photo: API
Chinese Global Times: "Uncomfortable for Australians we help Tonga after volcano eruption"
Current tensions between Australia and China began after an Australian military reconnaissance aircraft with combat capabilities in PA-8 submarines reported that one of the Chinese navy ships had blinded it.
The pilot reported the flight disruption caused to him in this situation.
In a routine situation the report may not have caused such a severe exchange of blows between the parties, however it turns out that such Chinese harassment has been going on since 2017 in the area and there are many reports from both Australian and American pilots of this type of injury. Consumed for maximum concentration.
Beyond that, the tension between the parties stems from the extensive Chinese effort to gain control and influence throughout the region.
Against this background, the Chinese Times Global newspaper accused the Australian Times of "trying to interfere with the extensive aid China is providing to the Tonga kingdom after the volcanic eruption as well as aid with vaccines to the Solomon Islands and Tonga against the corona."
The Chinese newspaper even claimed that "the Australian plane approached the ships in a threatening manner. Why do the Australians not tell how close the plane flew to the ships," the daily asked.
Either way the tension between Australia and China is very strong after Canberra announced in November that it was entering into negotiations with the US and UK on buying submarines with nuclear capabilities.
Following this, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said of the agreement that "Australia must seriously ascertain whether it considers China a friend or an enemy".
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