The statement issued by the Australian defense ministry distorts facts and shifts blame onto China in an attempt to cover up the illegal intrusion of an Australian military aircraft into Chinese airspace, Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the Australian statement about China’s military actions in response to an Australian military aircraft’s intrusion into the South China Sea airspace.
China strongly protests this act and has lodged a formal diplomatic protest with the Australian side, Jiang said.
Jiang acknowledged that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized forces to decisively intercept and expel the Australian military aircraft that intruded into the airspace over China’s Xisha Qundao. He emphasized that these actions were legitimate, lawful and professionally restrained.
Despite China’s legitimate efforts to protect its sovereignty, the Australian side has wrongly accused China’s actions as being “unsafe” and “unprofessional.” Jiang dismissed these absurd claims as completely untenable.
China urges Australia to immediately cease its infringements, provocations and incitement, strictly control the actions of its frontline sea and air forces, and avoid further damage to China-Australia relations and military ties, Jiang stated.
Jiang added that the Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security, while steadfastly upholding regional peace and stability.
