China’s military directs a laser beam at an Australian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.

17 February 2022, in the Arafura Sea within Australia’s EEZ.

At the time of the incident, the P-8A was approximately 7.7 kilometres from the PLA Navy vessel. Up to 10 Australian personnel were on board the aircraft when the incident occurred.

The Australian Government released details and images within five days of the incident. Australia’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister also made public statements about the incident.

Australia stated that it had raised concerns directly with the PRC Government via official-level representations in Beijing and in Canberra.

In response, China’s Ministry of National Defence accused Australia of maliciously spreading false information and released a 12-second video claiming to show an Australian surveillance aircraft flying in a ‘malicious’ and ‘unprofessional’ manner.

A Chinese fighter aircraft releases chaff into the engine of an Australian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.

26 May 2022, in the South China Sea, near the Paracel Islands.

A Chinese fighter jet pulled alongside an Australian P-8A aircraft and released flares. It then pulled in front of the P-8A at a very close distance and released bundles of chaff (which contains small pieces of aluminium), some of which was ingested into the engine of the P-8A aircraft.

Ten days after the incident, Australia’s Defence Department released a statement, which was followed by statements from the Defence Minister and Prime Minister. Australia also raised its concerns directly with the PRC Government via official-level representations in Beijing and in Canberra.

In response, China’s Defence Ministry warned Australia to stop ‘provocative’ actions and noted that, while the Australian aircraft didn’t enter airspace claimed by China near the Paracel Islands, it seriously threatened China’s sovereignty and security.

In September 2024, China’s Central Television military channel released a propaganda video of the incident.

A Chinese warship operates its sonar at close range, injuring Royal Australian Navy divers.

14 November 2023, in international waters inside Japan’s EEZ.

An Australian frigate, HMAS Toowoomba, was in the East China Sea conducting operations in support of UN sanctions against North Korea (Operation Argos). The Australian ship stopped to conduct diving operations to clear fishing nets that had become tangled around its propellers.

Despite acknowledging Toowoomba’s communications, a Chinese destroyer (DDG-139) approached the Toowoomba at a close range and operated its hull-mounted sonar, injuring the Australian divers.

The Australian Defence Minister released a statement four days after the incident. Australia also raised its concerns directly with the PRC Government via official-level representations in Beijing and in Canberra.

In response, China’s Defence Ministry claimed that the Australian version of events was ‘completely untrue’. Later, China’s Ambassador to Australia claimed that a Japanese warship might be to blame for the sonar attack.

A Chinese aircraft releases flares in front of an Australian military helicopter.

4 May 2024, in international waters in the Yellow Sea, southeast of the Shandong Peninsula.

An Australian destroyer, HMAS Hobart, was in the Yellow Sea conducting operations in support of UN sanctions against North Korea (Operation Argos). Hobart launched its MH-60R helicopter, which was intercepted by a Chinese fighter aircraft. The Chinese aircraft then released flares across the flight path of the Australian helicopter.

Two days after the incident, the Australian Department of Defence released a statement, which was followed by statements from Australia’s Defence Minister and Prime Minister. Australia also raised its concerns directly with the PRC Government via official-level representations in Beijing and in Canberra.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry accused Australia of flying within close range of its airspace in a provocative manner. The next day, China changed its story: the Defence Ministry then claimed that the Australian helicopter was attempting to conduct close-in reconnaissance.

A Chinese fighter aircraft releases flares 30 metres from an Australian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.

11 February 2025, near the Paracel Islands.

An Australian P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea. A Chinese fighter aircraft released flares within 30 metres of the P-8A. Australia’s Defence Department described the action as an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.

The Australian Department of Defence released a statement two days after the incident. Australia’s Prime Minister confirmed that the action was unsafe and rejected Chinese allegations that an Australian plane ‘deliberately intruded into China’s airspace’. Australia also raised its concerns directly with the PRC Government via official-level representations in Beijing and in Canberra.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry said that Australia had deliberately intruded into China’s territorial airspace of Xisha Qundao (the Paracels) without China’s permission, infringing on China’s sovereignty and endangering China’s national security.