Anthony Albanese wants better relations with Jakarta and South-East Asia, as China was accused of escalating military tensions in the South China Sea by buzzing an RAAF surveillance plane.
| Fresh tensions with China have erupted after an RAAF aircraft was buzzed by a Chinese fighter jet and could have been downed in the South China Sea. The incident dominated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Indonesia toand revitalise engagement with South-East Asia to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Chinese J-16, which has a reported top speed of almost 2500km/h, flew very close to the side of the P-8 and released its flares.“The J-16 then accelerated and cut across the nose of the P-8, settling in front of the P-8 at very close distance,” he said. “We will not be deterred from engaging in the activities which we are entitled to at international law in the future.”It was the second incident this year that Defence has publicly disclosed where China’s military has targeted an RAAF P-8. In February, atransiting the Arafura Sea shone a laser at a P-8, which Australia again protested about.
Mr Albanese also had a “warm and positive” conversation with Timor-Leste leader Jose Ramos Horta en route to Jakarta, where they discussed climate change and Australian support for the tiny nation’s development.
Senator Wong was due to meet her counterpart Retno Marsudi on Sunday night, where they planned to discuss Australia’s climate change support for Indonesia.“It is important that we recognise that Indonesia isn’t just Jakarta and Bali. It is a vast archipelago,” Mr Albanese said.
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