China’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday accused Australia of attempting to cover up an alleged intrusion into Chinese airspace following a military encounter near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
The ministry said it had lodged a formal complaint with Canberra after a Chinese fighter jet released flares near an Australian maritime patrol aircraft earlier this week. Australia described the incident as “unsafe and unprofessional.”
China said the Australian aircraft had entered its airspace without permission and called the move a “serious violation” of its sovereignty.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent years over military operations and freedom of navigation in contested waters.