(DIR) Home
        
        
       Beijing says helicopter interception was safe
        
 (HTM) Source
        
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
        
       China's foreign ministry says Australia is to blame for an "unsafe"
       interception involving two military aircraft off the Korean peninsula.
        
       A Chinese military jet dropped flares into the path of the Australian
       MH-60R Seahawk helicopter on the weekend while the Royal Australian
       Navy aircraft was on patrol in international air space enforcing
       United Nations sanctions on North Korea.
        
       Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the action as "completely
       unacceptable".
        
       A Chinese PLA Air Force J10 warplane was involved in an interception
       of an Australian Navy helicopter. (Wikimedia Commons)
        
       Defence Minister Richard Marles told 9News the People's Liberation
       Army J10 warplane dropped flares about 300 metres in front of the
       Seahawk helicopter and about 60 metres above it, forcing the
       helicopter pilot to take evasive action in order to not be hit.
        
       "This was an unsafe manoeuvre which posed a risk to the aircraft and
       personnel," he said.
        
       The Seahawk normally operates with a crew of four to six. No one was
       injured during the interception.
        
       But the Chinese government insisted the interception was safe and said
       the Australian helicopter's presence was a "provocation".
        
       "Under the guise of implementing United Nations Security Council
       resolutions, Australian warships and aircraft deliberately approached
       China's airspace to cause trouble and provocation, endangering China's
       maritime and air security," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin
       Jian at a regular briefing.
        
       A file photo of the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter flown by the Royal
       Australian Navy. (Department of Defence) (Supplied)
        
       "As a warning, the Chinese military took necessary measures at the
       scene. Relevant operations are legal, compliant, professional and
       safe."
        
       In a separate statement, China's Ministry of Defence said the
       Australian helicopters were conducting "close reconnaissance" during
       China's "normal training activities" and called its actions warning
       them to leave "legitimate."
        
       It also accused Australia of "spreading false narratives".
        
        ** _FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE_** ** _: Stay across all the latest in
       breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No
       comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details._**
        
        
        
        
       ______________________________________________________________________
                                                 Served by Flask-Gopher/2.2.1