SYDNEY, May 7 — An Australian helicopter surveying North Korea was intercepted by a Chinese warplane in international airspace, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, reported German news agency (dpa).
An Australian ship was in international waters in the Yellow Sea undertaking routine activities to enforce United Nations sanctions against North Korea on Saturday, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said.
A helicopter was launched and was intercepted by a Chinese fighter aircraft, which released flares into the helicopter’s flight path, the ADF said.
Albanese said in a television interview Australia had made it “very clear” to China that the move was unprofessional.
“We regard this as unprofessional and that it is unacceptable,” he told Today.
“It’s important that we make clear our position, which has been done at the diplomatic levels, at government to government, but also defence to defence as well.”
Beijing had not yet responded publicly.
“But I think the Australian public would expect some form of explanation about how this could occur, because it was not behaviour that we expect when Australia is going about playing a role, as we do, an important role, as good international citizens,” Albanese said.
The ADF said there were no injuries and the helicopter was not damaged.
“This was an unsafe manoeuvre, which posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel,” the ADF said.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner.”
— Bernama-dpa
