Albanese denies Chinese spy claim after navy f lare-up

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected Chinese accusations that Australia was spying on its troops when flares were dropped in front of a navy helicopter.

The federal government has said the action of the Chinese J-10 jet, which launched the flares directly ahead of the Seahawk helicopter and forced it to take evasive action, was unprofessional and unsafe.

But China’s Ministry of National Defence spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said HMAS Hobart sent the helicopter up three times to conduct “close-in reconnaissance and disturb the normal training activities of the Chinese side”.

China responded with a “vocal warning” before taking “legitimate, reasonable, professional, and safe operations to expel it”, he said in a statement.

“We urge the Australian side to truly respect China’s sovereignty and security concerns, cease spreading false narratives, strictly constrain the operations of its naval and air forces, stop all dangerous provocations, and avoid undermining the overall relationship between the two countries and the two militaries.”

Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s position that the navy had a right to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in international waters in light of China’s new accusations.

“It was legitimate, peaceful activity, which should be respected,” he said.

“I’m proud of the role that Australian Defence Force personnel play in upholding international law. This action by China was unprofessional and unacceptable, we’ve made that very, very clear.”

Australian naval expert Jennifer Parker disputed the claim, saying the defence force was unlikely to send a helicopter to monitor drills when satellite-based capabilities would be more effective.

“It would be highly unlikely for an Australian ship helicopter to provoke China like this during a naval exercise for limited to no benefits,” she told the ABC.

The flares were dropped 300 metres in front of the chopper and 60m above it. The helicopter was unaffected and all the crew were safe after it took evasive action. – AAP