PLAAF J-16 fighter (photo : Chinese MoD)
On the 26th of May, a RAAF P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter, during routine maritime surveillance activity in the region of the South China Sea. The intercept resulted in a dangerous manoeuvre and conduct that threatened the safety of both the Australian aircraft and crew. What occurred was that the J-16 aircraft flew very close to the side of the P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft. In flying close to the side, it released flares, the J-16 then accelerated and cut across the nose of the P-8, settling in front of the P-8 at very close distance. At that moment, it then released a bundle of chaff which contains small pieces of aluminium, some of which were ingested into the engine of the P-8 aircraft. Quite obviously, this is very dangerous.
The crew of the P-8 responded professionally, and in a manner which would make us all feel proud, they returned the aircraft to its base. I've expressed a concern to the Chief of the Defence Force for the welfare of the Australian crew, and he has assured me that they are all unharmed. I directed the Department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force to make representations to the Chinese authorities about this incident in which we expressed our concern about what had occurred, and particularly, the manner in which the safety of the Australian aircraft and crew had been placed in jeopardy. Those representations have been made. I want to stress that the activity of the P-8 form part of maritime surveillance activity which has been undertaken by Australia, in the South China Sea for decades; other countries do the same. We're operating completely within our rights at international law. Because the South China Sea matters to Australia. It matters to Australia, because most of our trade traverses the South China Sea. And so, as a nation, we are deeply invested in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, we are deeply invested in the rights of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. And so, to that end I want to make it also very clear that this incident will not deter Australia from continuing to engage in these activities, which are within our rights and international law to assure that there is freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, because that is fundamentally in our nation's interest.
(Aus DoD)