The Australian Defense Department has filed a formal complaint with Beijing after describing a Wednesday incident between military helicopters as dangerous and unprofessional conduct by Chinese forces.
According to defense officials, an Australian military helicopter was conducting operations over international waters in the Yellow Sea when a Chinese aircraft intercepted it on Wednesday.
The Chinese helicopter reportedly flew to the same altitude as the Australian aircraft before moving dangerously close, accelerating its speed, and then banking toward the Australian helicopter, forcing the crew to perform emergency maneuvers to avoid a collision.
Defense officials stated in their complaint: “This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”
The Australian helicopter was conducting standard patrol operations in the Yellow Sea as part of international efforts to monitor and enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions targeting North Korea, according to the defense department.
Officials confirmed that no crew members were injured during the confrontation between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter and the Australian Defence Force aircraft.
This confrontation represents another chapter in an ongoing pattern of military incidents involving Chinese forces that Australian officials have publicly denounced using similar language.
Just last October, Australia condemned what it termed dangerous and unprofessional behavior by a Chinese fighter pilot who released flares in close proximity to an Australian maritime surveillance aircraft.
Chinese embassy officials have not yet provided any response to requests for comment regarding the latest incident.
