China held a defense meeting on Monday with Australia, a major ally of the United States in the contested Western Pacific Ocean, just days after encounters involving their militaries.
Why It Matters
Australia accused China of an “unsafe and unprofessional” encounter after one of its warplanes intercepted an Australian Defence Force helicopter on May 4, 2024 in international waters. The Chinese have accused the U.S. and its allies of stirring up trouble in the East and South China seas, which Beijing considers to be its doorstep.
What To Know
An Australian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was intercepted by Chinese J-16 fighter jets on February 11 during a surveillance patrol in international airspace over the South China Sea, which the Australian military described as an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the military took “legitimate measures” to expel the Australian aircraft as it intruded into China‘s airspace. Beijing has claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, claims that overlap with those of neighboring nations.
The 23rd Australia-China Defense Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing, the capital city of China. It is a senior-level meeting between the officials from the Australian Department of Defense and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, according to Australia’s statement.
The bilateral meeting was suspended by China in 2019 after Australia banned Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, from its 5G networks. Tensions between the two trading partners persisted until last year, when their leaders agreed to revive the defense dialogue.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marques Franklin/U.S. Navy
The Australian side reiterated that all nations should operate in a “safe and professional” manner to avoid miscalculation or escalation and act in a manner that respects sovereignty and upholds peace, security, and stability, the Australian military said of the meeting.
“The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the relations between the two countries and two militaries, regional security, and other issues of common concern,” said the Chinese military, adding that both sides agreed to handle their disputes and differences properly.
In addition to the aerial encounter, three Chinese naval vessels were spotted transiting the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia, on February 13. The Australian military said it respected China’s rights to exercise freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.
What People Are Saying
The Australian Department of Defense said in a press release: “Australia underscored the importance of adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas.”
The Chinese Defense Ministry previously said at a press briefing: “We urge the Australian side to give up illusion of speculation and adventure, strictly restrain the operations of its navy and air force troops, and stop acting as a hatchet man to stir up troubles and harm others in the South China Sea.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether future unsafe encounters between Australian and Chinese forces will lead to the suspension of the defense dialogue. The Pentagon warned that the Chinese military continued to conduct unsafe maneuvers near allied forces in the South China Sea.
