A Chinese military jet has detonated flares near an Australian Navy helicopter which was operating in international waters, forcing the pilot to take evasive action to avoid an accident.

An Australian pilot was forced to take evasive action after a Chinese military jet detonated flares close to a Navy helicopter that was operating in international waters near South Korea.

The Defence Department has described the actions of the J-10 Chinese Air Force plane as “unsafe and unprofessional” following the incident which took place in the Yellow Sea over the weekend.

On Saturday a MH-60R Seahawk which had launched from HMAS Hobart was intercepted by the People’s Liberation Army-Air Force (PLA-AF) as it was taking part in a UN mission to enforce sanctions against North Korea.

  • fine_sandy_bottomEnglish
    81·
    1 month ago

    Can you define “retaliate in a serious way” ?

    This media release is precisely the correct measured response to this kind of childish behaviour from China.

    Cutting coal and iron exports would harm australua more than China. They put a tax on our wine and barley and that did some damage.

    This type of flex from China is already commonplace in SEA, and thankfully we have cool heads in charge who will hold the right positions and respond in a measured way.

    • Cypher@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      1 month ago

      I gave an exact example of serious retaliation.

      Australia can find other markets for its exports as we did previously.

      China needs a reality check. They need Australia and they need to respect the safety of Australian citizens.

        • Cypher@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          You’re glad someone who cares about the safety of Australian citizens isn’t in power?

          Way to out yourself I guess.

          • fine_sandy_bottomEnglish
            1·
            1 month ago

            China is our largest trading partner. Last year we exported $220b of stuff to China. This year it will be closer to $250b.

            Second place is Japan, at a paltry $80b this year. That’s a third.

            • Cypher@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              1 month ago

              So your greedy and spineless solution is to allow these bullying tactics to continue until Australians are killed, and then continue to allow trade afterwards.

              • fine_sandy_bottomEnglish
                2·
                1 month ago

                It’s not greedy to avoid catastrophic economic collapse.

                It’s not spineless to choose an appropriate response instead of having a hissy fit.

                You don’t protect Australians by acting like a tough guy.

                • Cypher@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  1·
                  1 month ago

                  So full blown war over seeking alternative trading partners is a better outcome? Because that’s what will happen if Chinese aggression isn’t met with severe consequences.

                  • fine_sandy_bottomEnglish
                    1·
                    1 month ago

                    Bullshit. Hyperbole.

                    You talk about “seeking alternative trading partners” like we’re seeking alternative laundry powder at woolies.

                    Who else will buy our iron ore who isn’t already? The answer is no one.