Australia says Chinese fighter jet released flares near RAAF aircraft in ‘dangerous’ incident

Richard Marles condemns Chinese military after flares let off ‘very close’ to Australian surveillance aircraft over South China Sea

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The acting prime minister, Richard Marles, has condemned the “unsafe and unprofessional” behaviour of the Chinese military, saying a fighter jet released flares close to an Australian surveillance plane over the South China Sea.

Australia’s defence forces expressed “concerns” about the incident in a statement, saying it posed a risk to Royal Australian Air Force personnel and their aircraft. No injuries or damage was sustained as a result of actions.