<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338495</docID> <postdate>2025-02-18 08:20:10</postdate> <headline>Aust, Chinese officials meet after mid-air incident</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-338496" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250213180244590806-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>A Chinese fighter jet dropped flares above and in front of an Australian P-8A Poseidon last week. (AP PHOTO)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Lisa Martin</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australian military officials have reportedly raised concerns with their Chinese counterparts about a mid-air incident over the South China Sea, during senior official talks in Beijing.</strong></p> <p>A Chinese fighter jet dropped flares above and in front of an Australian P-8A Poseidon on Tuesday last week, coming within 30m.</p> <p>While no Australian Defence Force personnel were injured and the plane was not damaged, Defence Minister Richard Marles characterised it as an "unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre".</p> <p>Australia conveyed its concerns to China over the incident through representations in Canberra and Beijing last week.</p> <p>On Monday, senior officials from both countries met in Beijing for the Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue – the first since 2019.</p> <p>Heading up the Australian delegation was Defence Force Vice Chief, Air Marshal Robert Chipman and Deputy Secretary Strategy, Policy and Industry Group, Hugh Jeffrey.</p> <p>The Australian Defence Department's statement after the talks hinted at the mid-air incident being discussed.</p> <p>"Australia reiterated the importance of all countries in the region operating in a safe and professional manner at all times to avoid the risk of miscalculation or escalation," the Australian Defence Department said.</p> <p>"Both countries exchanged views on bilateral, global and regional security issues, as well as military transparency and communication."</p> <p>Australia affirmed the importance of "all countries acting in a manner that respects sovereignty and upholds peace, security and stability".</p> <p>China has so far publicly rejected Australia's concerns, saying the RAAF plane had jeopardised its national security with a "deliberate intrusion" into its airspace.</p> <p>Beijing accused Australia of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea and accused it of "spreading false narratives".</p> <p>Australia, and allies like the US and regional partners, routinely conduct freedom of navigation exercises through the South China Sea in accordance with international law.</p> <p>The South China Sea contains some of the world's most important shipping lanes.</p> <p>China claims large swathes of the South China Sea but there are competing claims from some South East Asian nations including the Philippines and Vietnam.</p> <p>Australia underscored the importance of adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Australian Defence Department said.</p> <p>General Xu Qiling, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department, led China's delegation.</p> <p>The two countries had an "in-depth" exchange of views on bilateral and military relations, regional security and other issues of common concern, China's defence ministry said in a statement released on Monday.</p> <p>Both sides agreed to continue to strengthen strategic communication in defence, properly handle conflicts and differences, and carry out exchanges and cooperation, the statement said.</p> <p>It's not the first time an Australian plane has been targeted with flares.</p> <p>A Seahawk helicopter had to take evasive action when a Chinese jet dropped flares in front of it in May 2024.</p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong>–with Reuters</strong></p> </body>