Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described as an “act of intimidation” the fact that a Chinese navy ship pointed a laser at one of his country’s surveillance aircraft off the northern coast.
The incident occurred three days ago, when a P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft detected a laser coming from a Chinese navy vessel sailing eastward in the Arafura Sea, according to information given by the Australian Department of Defense in a statement late Saturday. Prime Minister Morrison responded early Sunday in televised comments in Melbourne.
“I’m very concerned about the actions of using lasers,” he said. “I mean, I can’t see it in any other way than as an act of intimidation, one that was unprovoked, unjustified and Australia will never accept such acts of intimidation.”
Australia-China relations have deteriorated in recent years over issues ranging from investment to alleged foreign interference in domestic politics. They sank in 2020 when Morrison called for an investigation into the origins of Covid-19, which infuriated Beijing. The latter responded with punitive trade actions targeting Australian commodities from coal to barley, lobsters and wine.
Morrison said Australia is raising the laser issue directly with China through diplomatic and defense channels. “It was a reckless and irresponsible act and it shouldn’t happen,” he said.
Defense Minister Peter Dutton said the incident was an example of “aggressive bullying” by the Chinese military.
Australian opposition leader Anthony Albanese echoed these sentiments, saying the government should “make the strongest possible statement” about the incident. “It is an outrageous act of aggression that must be condemned and I condemn it,” he said.
The Beijing government has increased its control over the South China Sea over the past decade, building artificial structures in the disputed territory and sending large ships to prevent neighboring countries from extracting fish and energy from the seas. Australia has responded to this escalation by strengthening ties with India and Japan and increasing its own military capabilities.
The relationship is further complicated because China is Australia’s largest trading partner.
Australia’s defense department said the People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel involved in the laser incident was accompanying another Chinese ship and has already transited the Torres Strait. Both are now in the Coral Sea, east of Australia, the department said.
Targeting lasers at aircraft can pose a serious risk, as they can temporarily blind pilots. The Australian defense department said such actions are not in line with the standards expected of professional military personnel.
“Acts such as this have the potential to endanger lives,” it said. “We strongly condemn unprofessional and unsafe military conduct. These actions could have endangered the safety and lives of Australian Defense Force personnel.”
