Anthony Albanese has been grilled over China’s accusation the Australian military deliberately “trouble” when it approached Chinese airspace on Saturday.
The prime minister trod lightly in his response when probed on the tense matter by Gareth Parker of Nine, which in partnership with Business News presented ‘Breakfast with the Prime Minister in Perth on Wednesday.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday claimed China’s jet dropped flares near the Australian Seahawk helicopter in the Yellow Sea because it had been “provoked” by the Australians.
The flares were dropped about 60m above and 300m in front of the chopper, operating off air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, while it was enforcing sanction against North Korea.
Despite the craft being in international airspace at the time, the Aussies were accused by China of “endangering” its maritime and air security.
The event was swiftly condemned by Australian defence minister Richard Marles, who labelled it “unacceptable”, while the ADF confirmed it had expressed “concerns to the Chinese Government following an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a People’s Liberation Army – Air Force (PLA-AF) fighter aircraft”.
The prime minister on Wednesday however, claimed that in its own way, China had agreed with Australia’s position that the helicopter was within its right to be flying where it was.
“When you look at the comments, they say, ‘approaching [Chinese airspace]’. So it’s a confirmation that Australia, the chopper, was in international airspace,” Mr Albanese said.
“We’re in international waters, international airspace, upholding international law through the UN sanctions.”
When asked if he thought Australia’s military was “causing trouble”, he responded: “no I don’t”.
“There shouldn’t be a risk to Australian Defence Force personnel while undertaking that work.”
Having previously claimed he would raise the incident with Chinese Premier Li Qiang when he visits Australia next month, Mr Albanese seemed to distance himself from the idea on Wednesday.
“We raise these things through appropriate channels at every opportunity,” he said.
“The contradiction is there in the statement where they confirm that we weren’t in their airspace. I’m not sure the statement the Chinese government made advances their position, I think it confirms ours.”
The ADF on Monday said it “expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner”.
“Defence has, for decades, undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”
Mr Marles earlier confirmed Australia had “formally expressed our concerns about this incident, and formally expressed that this was both unsafe and unprofessional.
“It is our expectation in the interaction of our two militaries is that they happen in a manner which is professional and safe for all concerned. HMAS Hobart continues in its work in enforcing those UN security council sanctions.”