The first Australian Minister Scott Morrison accused Beijing of committing an “act of intimidation” on Sunday after his government denounced that a Chinese ship had directed a laser against an Australian military aircraft.
According to the Department of Defense, the Chinese ship was sailing off the coast of northern Australia when it lit up a surveillance plane in a “potentially life-threatening” incident.
“It is not a surprise that we have Chinese ships moving through the sea. I am very concerned about the actions of using the lasers on an Australian surveillance aircraft,” Morrison said on Sunday.
“I can’t see it in any other way than an act of intimidation,” the prime minister added. It is an “unjustified and unprovoked” act, he said.
Defense Minister Peter Dutton defined it as “A very aggressive performance.”
According to his ministry, the ship was sailing with another Chinese ship heading east through the Arafura Sea in northern Australia.
China still not responding to Morrison
The Chinese government has not responded to these accusations. In 2019, its armed forces were already accused of targeting Australian Army planes with lasers. in the South China Sea.
The Australian Defense Force (ADF) confirmed on Saturday that a Chinese vessel on Thursday illuminated a P-8A Poseidon craft while it was in flight over Australia’s “northern approaches”, with the “potential to endanger lives”.
“Australia will never accept such acts of intimidation,” Morrison said. to journalists.
“It was a dangerous act… I think it was a reckless and irresponsible act and it should not happen,” Morrison added, noting that his government was raising the issue through diplomatic and defense channels.
“That act of intimidation is not just a message that I assume they are trying to send to Australia, a message that we will respond to, but it is a sign of the kind of threats and intimidation that can happen to any country in our region, and so we have to come together. ”, said the prime minister. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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