ADF chief rejects China spying claim after helicopter flare incident

Australia’s Defence boss has rejected Beijing’s claim that a Navy helicopter targeted with flares by a Chinese military jet was spying.

The incident in the Yellow Sea off South Korea has caused tension between Australia and its biggest trading partner.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday stood by Australia’s explanation of the incident and accused Beijing of offering a contradictory rationale.

Defence confirmed earlier this week that a Navy Seahawk launched off HMAS Hobart was intercepted by a Chinese J-10 Air Force jet about 7.30pm on Saturday.

The People’s Liberation Army jet dropped flares about 300 metres in front of the Australian Seahawk helicopter, 60 metres above its flight path. The helicopter pilot averted disaster by taking evasive action to avoid the flares.

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday the helicopter “deliberately flew within close range of China’s airspace in a provocative move that endangers China’s maritime air security”.

But the next day, China’s story changed, with its Defence Ministry claiming the Australian helicopter was attempting to conduct “close-in reconnaissance and disturb the normal training activities of the Chinese side”.

Defence Force chief Angus Campbell.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Echoing comments made by Defence Minister Richard Marles on Monday, Defence Force chief Angus Campbell said on Thursday the incident was “unsafe and unprofessional” and brushed off Beijing’s surveillance claims.

“The helicopter was behaving in a correct and disciplined fashion and I don’t accept that the [Chinese jet’s] response was anything but unsafe and unprofessional,” he told reporters.

HMAS Hobart was in the Yellow Sea as part of a United Nations mission to enforce trade sanctions against North Korea.

Albanese on Thursday reiterated his view that the Chinese fighter jet was at fault.

“Australian Defence Force personnel were engaged in international waters, in international skies, and engaged in international work, consistent with the United Nations sanctions being imposed on North Korea,” he said.

“It was legitimate, peaceful activity which should be respected and which I’m proud of the role that Australian Defence Force personnel play in upholding international law and international sanctions and the appropriate processes as determined by the United Nations.

“This action by China was unprofessional and unacceptable. We’ve made that very, very clear going forward.”

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