Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the Business Council of Australia’s annual dinner last night, emphasizing his government‘s efforts to improve relations with Beijing. However, at the same time, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) released a provocative video that appears to depict a confrontation between an Australian P-8 Poseidon and a Chinese J-16 fighter in 2022.
The Defence Department acknowledged the existence of the video but did not confirm its authenticity. Albanese informed business leaders that by stabilizing relations with China, nearly $20 billion in obstacles for Australian farmers, growers, producers, and miners have been removed.
This incident comes just two months after Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia—the first by a Chinese premier in seven years—signaling a return to normal diplomatic relations. The video shows an encounter over the South China Sea where a People’s Liberation Army aircraft flew closely alongside an RAAF plane. It fired flares before maneuvering in front of it and releasing “chaff” into its flight path, causing aluminum fragments to be sucked into the P-8’s engine.
In the footage, the J-16 pilot can be heard referring to facing a strong enemy and expressing fearlessness. He quotes a military adage about bravery on narrow roads and declares that they must show their swords to their enemies.
Opposition spokesperson Simon Birmingham criticized this video as an unacceptable glorification of military conduct and urged the government to demonstrate strength when dealing with Beijing. Birmingham expressed concern about risky and aggressive behavior from China towards Australia and other regional partners.
He also highlighted how this propaganda video portrays Australia as an enemy rather than seeking responsible military conduct. Birmingham called for stronger action from Prime Minister Albanese regarding Beijing’s aggression.
While welcoming improved relations between both countries for trade benefits and cooperation, Birmingham stressed that peace and stability should not be jeopardized by risky conduct from China’s People’s Liberation Army.
Shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie commented on how this alleged PLA video demonstrates why there is mistrust between Australia and Beijing if it is authentic. He questioned how friends are treated if this is how they treat their allies.
The Australian Defence Force reaffirmed its commitment to exercising freedom of navigation in international waters according to international law.
