China accuses Australian helicopter of aerial 'provocations'

PM Albanese calls Chinese jet flares 'unprofessional and unacceptable'

20240507 aussie chopper

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter like this one was warned off with flares by a Chinese jet fighter during a routine Yellow Sea patrol.  © Department of Defence, Australia

SHAUN TURTON, Nikkei staff writer

SYDNEY -- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs hit back on Tuesday after Australia slammed the actions of a Chinese military jet that released flares in the flight path of one of its helicopters on the weekend.

Australia's Department of Defense said on Monday that a Chinese fighter plane had intercepted an Australian navy helicopter, which had been launched from a destroyer engaged in an international mission to enforce United Nations sanctions against North Korea.

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