Wong Condemns ‘Unsafe and Unprofessional’ Chinese Jet Flare Action

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Oct 21, 2025 - 09:54 Updated: Oct 21, 2025 - 09:50
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Wong Condemns ‘Unsafe and Unprofessional’ Chinese Jet Flare Action

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has described the latest incident involving a Chinese fighter jet and a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft as “unsafe and unprofessional.”

It occurred on Oct. 19 after the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) released flares dangerously close to an Australian patrol plane over the South China Sea.

The RAAF P-8A Poseidon was conducting a routine maritime surveillance mission.

Wong said the incident underscored Beijing’s military assertiveness in the region.

“We know that China has been also clear in its intent to project its military power into the region,” she told ABC Radio.

“Australia remains very clear we will continue to operate in accordance with international law, in accordance with our rights around overflight and navigation,” she said.

The Australian government confirmed the details the following day, just as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepared for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

Wong said the government’s immediate concern was for the safety of Australian personnel but warned of the risk that such behaviour could trigger escalation.

“Our first concern is always for the safety of the Australian personnel, but we also know that there is always a risk of accident or escalation, which is why we will continue to make these representations,” she said.

Canberra Raises Formal Protest

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said Australia had formally raised the issue with Beijing through multiple diplomatic channels.

“We have sought now in instances of this kind to have a very set procedure,” he told reporters.

“Firstly, we are making the incident public. Secondly, we have raised this issue with the Chinese Embassy here in Canberra, and we have also made representations via our embassy in Beijing.”

Marles said the aircrew landed safely and no injuries were reported.

He said that while it was not unusual for foreign jets to shadow Australian aircraft, he noted the proximity of the Chinese fighter’s flares went beyond standard behaviour.

Repeated Confrontations 

This is not the first such encounter. In February, a Chinese fighter released flares just 30 metres from another Australian P-8 patrol aircraft in the same region.

In May 2024, an Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter was also forced to take evasive action after a Chinese warplane dropped flares in its flight path.

Earlier this year, Chinese naval vessels conducted live-fire drills near Australia’s maritime borders, temporarily disrupting civilian air traffic in the Tasman Sea.

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