Scott Morrison slams ‘reckless’ China over laser claims

Scott Morrison has slammed China’s “reckless” targeting of an Aussie surveillance plane with a laser, dismissing claims he is spreading misinformation.

Scott Morrison has slammed the “reckless” targeting of an Australian surveillance plane with a laser by the Chinese navy, dismissing counterclaims he is spreading misinformation about the incident as baseless.

The Prime Minister hit back today over Chinese claims that the navy vessel was acting in accordance with the law and Australia was maliciously spreading a false account of the incident.

“There was a Chinese naval vessel in our exclusive economic zone,’’ Mr Morrison said.

“That’s what happened. They need to explain that.

“Not just to Australia, but this needs to be explained to the entire region, as to what they would be doing undertaking such a reckless act for what’s supposed to be a professional navy

There is no explanation that Australia has to give here.

“Our surveillance planes have every right to be in our exclusive economic zone and keeping a close eye on what people are up to in our exclusive economic zone and that is what their job is and the fact that they were put under that type of a threat I think is extremely disappointing and I think requires an explanation.”

The Chinese guided-missile destroyer and an amphibious transport dock were sailing east through the Arafura Sea between New Guinea and Australia at the time of the incident.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) reconnaissance photo of a Peoples Liberation Army-navy Luyang-class guided missile destroyer involved in a lasing incident with an RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Picture: Australian Defence Force

China’s foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has rejected the Australian criticism, saying the ship was abiding by international law.

“The Chinese vessel sailing in the high seas complies with relevant international law and international practice and is fully legitimate and legal,” Mr Wang said.

“We urge the Australian side to respect Chinese vessels’ legitimate rights in accordance with international law in relevant seas and stop maliciously spreading disinformation in regards to China.”

The Prime Minister has previously confirmed that demands for Beijing to explain itself over the incident had gone unanswered.

“Could you imagine if there had been an Australian frigate up in the Taiwan Strait and they were pointing lasers at Chinese surveillance aircraft?,’’ he told 2GB.

“Could you imagine the reaction to that in Beijing?”

The Prime Minister also accused China of trying to assert their dominance over the Antarctic region as he announced an $800 million investment in the region.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hit back at claims from China he is spreading misinformation. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“We are a treaty nation when it comes to Antarctica and we take those responsibilities incredibly seriously,’’ Mr Morrison said.

Asked what were the specific concerns about Chinese activity in Antarctica, the Prime Minister declined to offer any specific examples but said they did not “share the same objectives”.

“Well, they don’t share the same objectives as Australia as a treaty nation when it comes to protecting Antarctica, and so it is very important that we are very clear in our understanding about what activities are being undertaken there and that there is an accountability and transparency around that,’’ he said.

“Australia has always been very happy to call out these things and where we have to, we will and we have given ourselves the capability to put ourselves in a situation where we can do that, not just on behalf of Australia but Australia works in partnership with so many other nations who share our objectives.”