China has dismissed Australia's announcement that a Chinese naval ship shone a laser at an Australian military patrol plane.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a news briefing on Monday that information released by Australia is false.
The Australian Defence Department announced on Saturday that the vessel, in company with another Chinese navy vessel sailing through the Arafura Sea, directed a laser at an Australian military patrol aircraft in flight last Thursday. The Arafura Sea lies between northern Australia and eastern Indonesia.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed Australia's intention to lodge a complaint.
Spokesperson Wang said the Chinese vessels were sailing on the high seas, conforming to relevant international law and international practice.
He said Beijing is urging Australia to respect Chinese vessels' legitimate rights in accordance with international law in relevant seas and stop "maliciously spreading disinformation" about China.
Relations between Australia and China have soured since Canberra angered Beijing by calling for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus in 2020. China responded by restricting agricultural and other imports from Australia.
The latest dispute could worsen the already strained ties.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a news briefing on Monday that information released by Australia is false.
The Australian Defence Department announced on Saturday that the vessel, in company with another Chinese navy vessel sailing through the Arafura Sea, directed a laser at an Australian military patrol aircraft in flight last Thursday. The Arafura Sea lies between northern Australia and eastern Indonesia.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed Australia's intention to lodge a complaint.
Spokesperson Wang said the Chinese vessels were sailing on the high seas, conforming to relevant international law and international practice.
He said Beijing is urging Australia to respect Chinese vessels' legitimate rights in accordance with international law in relevant seas and stop "maliciously spreading disinformation" about China.
Relations between Australia and China have soured since Canberra angered Beijing by calling for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus in 2020. China responded by restricting agricultural and other imports from Australia.
The latest dispute could worsen the already strained ties.
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Summary
Australia accuses China of using a laser on an Australian military plane in the Arafura Sea, which China denies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called Australia's claims false and urged Australia to respect Chinese vessels' rights. Tensions between the two countries have
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ID: 62142cdd-00b8-46fe-8b96-591135ed5dbd
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220221_33/
Date: Feb. 21, 2022
Created: 2022/02/22 09:22
Updated: 2025/12/09 17:50
Last Read: 2022/02/22 09:22