The Philippines has expressed deep concern over China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLA-AF) deploying flares against an Australian aircraft, citing its impact on freedom of navigation and overflight in the West Philippine Sea.
On Thursday, Australia reported that a PLA-AF J-16 fighter jet released flares just 30 meters in front of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon while it was conducting a patrol in the West Philippine Sea last Tuesday.
“The PLA-AF aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft. This was an unsafe and unprofessional maneuver that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel,” the Australian Defence Department said in a statement.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) voiced alarm over the incident, calling on China to respect international norms.
“All countries are expected to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in and above international sea lines of communication, such as the South China Sea, and to avoid interference in legitimate activities conducted in international waters and airspace,” the DFA said on Friday.