The Australian government has lodged complaints with the Chinese military following an encounter between two naval helicopters over the Yellow Sea.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) said an Australian Seahawk helicopter was forced to take evasive action after a Chinese helicopter moved dangerously close to it.
HMAS Toowoomba was sailing through international waters, taking part in efforts to enforce UN sanctions on North Korea. (Supplied: Department of Defence)
The Australian helicopter launched from HMAS Toowoomba on Wednesday. The ship was sailing through international waters to take part in efforts to enforce UN sanctions on North Korea.
In a statement the ADF said the Australian helicopter was approached by a Chinese military helicopter.
“The helicopter matched the ADF helicopter’s altitude before closing in to an unsafe distance,” it said.
“The helicopter moved slightly ahead, increased speed and then rolled towards the ADF helicopter, which required evasive action to maintain safe flight.
“This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”
There were no injuries or damage sustained during the interaction, and the ADF said HMAS Toowoomba and the Seahawk helicopter were operating in accordance with international law.
Complaints lodged
The ADF said it had “expressed its concerns” to the Chinese government over the encounter.
The ABC has been told the government lodged complaints in Beijing through the Australian embassy, as well as with the Chinese embassy in Canberra.
It is the latest in a string of similar interactions in recent years.
In October Australia lodged diplomatic protests with China after a Chinese fighter jet released flares close to an Australian surveillance plane in the South China Sea.
In a statement, Defence Minister Richard Marles said he commended the ADF’s “quick response to what was an unsafe and unprofessional interaction by the PLA-N [People’s Liberation Army-Navy]”.
“The work our ADF personnel do in asserting the global rules‑based order is vitally important and Australia is committed to undertaking activities in our region, in accordance with international law,” he said.
“Australia expects all interactions between defence forces to occur safely and professionally.
“Where that is not the case, we will express our concerns to the Chinese government and we will call these actions out publicly.”
Not an isolated incident
The Chinese military has deployed flares and released chaff near Australian aircraft before, as well as deploying sonar when Australian navy divers were in the water.
Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson said it was another “deliberate, dangerous and reckless manoeuvre by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that put Australian Defence Force personnel at risk”.
“China must ensure its forces operate safely. Actions like this risk escalation and undermine stability in our region,” he said.
“This is not an isolated incident. It is becoming a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour by the PLA.
“We expect the Albanese government to publicly condemn this incident and make Australia’s views clear to their counterparts in the Chinese government.”
