Australia has demanded an explanation from Beijing after a Chinese warplane released flares near a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) surveillance aircraft earlier this week.

"The Australian government has expressed its concerns to the Chinese government following an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a People's Liberation Army — Air Force (PLA-AF) aircraft," the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said in a statement.

According to the ADF, the incident occurred on Tuesday, when the J-16 aircraft released flares just 30 meters from the RAAF P-8 Poseidon.

"On 11 February 2025, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea experienced an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a PLA-AF J-16 fighter aircraft," the statement added.

Officials confirmed that no personnel were injured and the P-8A aircraft involved in the incident was not damaged, reported

© International Business Times