World Desk, AnyTV, Beijing
Published by: Gaurav Pandey
Updated Mon, 21 Feb 2022 07:41 PM IST
Summary
Australia’s Defense Ministry said on Saturday that on Thursday, Australian maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon was laser targeted by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), endangering the lives of the crew on board.
China on Monday questioned Australia’s claim that a Chinese warship had laser targeted its surveillance aircraft. China said that these allegations do not match with the facts. Australia described the incident as a serious security incident and said such acts could put lives at risk.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday that we have asked the Chinese government for an explanation of this dangerous and reckless act of its People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) last week. According to the report of news agency PTI, he said that it was like an attempt to intimidate.
On Morrison’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a media briefing that after confirming with the relevant department, we have found that the information released by Australia does not match the facts. “The Chinese ship was at sea in accordance with international laws and practices and was fully legal,” he said.
Wenbin further said that we urge the Australian side to respect the legitimate rights of Chinese ships in the relevant waters in accordance with international law and stop spreading misinformation about China. At the same time, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Tan Kefei also called the Australian statement completely inconsistent with the facts.
Expansion
China on Monday questioned Australia’s claim that a Chinese warship had laser targeted its surveillance aircraft. China said that these allegations do not match with the facts. Australia described the incident as a serious security incident and said such acts could put lives at risk.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday that we have asked the Chinese government for an explanation of this dangerous and reckless act of its People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) last week. According to the report of news agency PTI, he said that it was like an attempt to intimidate.
On Morrison’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a media briefing that after confirming with the relevant department, we have found that the information released by Australia does not match the facts. “The Chinese ship was at sea in accordance with international laws and practices and was fully legal,” he said.
Wenbin further said that we urge the Australian side to respect the legitimate rights of Chinese ships in the relevant waters in accordance with international law and stop spreading misinformation about China. At the same time, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Tan Kefei also called the Australian statement completely inconsistent with the facts.