Canberra calls China laser incident an 'act of intimidation'

SYDNEY • Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison branded a Chinese navy vessel pointing a laser at one of his country's surveillance aircraft off the northern coast an "act of intimidation".

The incident occurred last Thursday when a P-8A Poseidon patrol plane detected a laser from a Chinese naval ship sailing east through the Arafura Sea, said Australia's Department of Defence in a statement late on Saturday.

Mr Morrison responded early yesterday in televised comments: "I'm very concerned about the actions of using the lasers," he said. "That is, I can see it no other way than an act of intimidation, one that was unprovoked, unwarranted and Australia will never accept such acts of intimidation."

Ties between Australia and China have deteriorated in recent years over issues ranging from investment to alleged foreign interference in domestic politics.

They plunged in 2020 when Mr Morrison called for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, infuriating Beijing. China responded with punitive trade actions targeting Australian commodities, from coal and barley to lobsters and wine.

Mr Morrison said Australia is raising the laser issue directly with China through diplomatic and defence channels. "It was a reckless and irresponsible act, and it should not occur," he said.

Australia's Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the incident was an example of "aggressive bullying" by China's military.

Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese echoed those sentiments, saying the government should be "making the strongest possible statement" about the incident. "It's an outrageous act of aggression that should be condemned and I condemn it," he said.

The government in Beijing has increased its control over the South China Sea in the past decade, building artificial structures on disputed territory and sending large ships to prevent neighbouring countries from extracting fish and energy from the seas.

Australia has responded to the build-up by forging closer ties with India and Japan, and boosting its own military capabilities. The relationship is further complicated by China being Australia's largest trading partner.

Australia's Defence Department said the People's Liberation Army Navy vessel involved in the laser incident was accompanying another Chinese ship and has since transited through the Torres Strait. Both are now in the Coral Sea, east of Australia, the department said.

Pointing lasers at aircraft can pose a serious risk as they can temporarily blind pilots. The Australian Defence Department said such actions are not in keeping with the standards expected of professional militaries.

"Acts like 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 the Australian Defence Force personnel."

As at press time, the Chinese government has not responded to the allegations from Australia.

BLOOMBERG