China Slams Australia Over Military Aircraft Incident
China has accused Australia of 'distorting facts' after an Australian military aircraft allegedly intruded into airspace near the Xisha Qundao in the South China Sea. 🇨🇳 Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, called Australia's recent statement a 'blatant cover-up' of the incident during a press briefing Wednesday.
What Happened?
The Chinese military said it 'decisively intercepted and expelled' the Australian aircraft after it entered the airspace, calling the response 'legitimate, lawful, and professional.' 🛩️ Jiang emphasized that China's actions were necessary to protect sovereignty, adding that Australia's claims of 'unsafe' maneuvers were 'absurd and untenable.'
Diplomatic Tensions Rise
China has lodged a formal diplomatic protest, urging Australia to 'immediately cease provocations' and control its military operations to avoid further damage to bilateral relations. 🔥 Jiang warned that Beijing will 'resolutely defend national security' while maintaining regional stability.
Why It Matters
This clash highlights growing friction in the Asia-Pacific, with military encounters risking broader diplomatic fallout. 🌏 Analysts say such incidents could test China-Australia ties, which have been slowly recovering after trade disputes in recent years.
