On Monday, February 21st, the Australian prime minister called for China to fully investigate the alleged use of a laser to illuminate an Australian jet. According to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, one of two People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessels directed the laser at the military jet while the jet was conducting surveillance in the Arafura Sea. He condemned the ship’s actions as unprofessional and stated it had the “potential to endanger lives.” China, however, argued the vessel followed international law and asserted the Australian statement misrepresented the events.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Tan Kefei claimed the Australian plane dropped sonobuoys near the Chinese ships, calling the act “malicious provocative behaviour.” Tan declared the Australian government should stop making “groundless accusations,” lest they “affect the overall situation of relations between the two countries and two militaries.” The Chinese military also suggested Australia was attempting to vilify China in order to distract from Chinese humanitarian aid in the Pacific region. While Australia did not respond to China’s claims of sonobuoy use, it revealed the Chinese vessels were sailing very close to the Australian coast. Prime Minister Morrison argued the Chinese ships’ activities were not only “reckless,” but could be construed as “intimidating and bullying.”
Amidst the growing tensions between the two countries, China is unlikely to agree with Australia’s demands to investigate the incident. While it may be tempting for Canberra to respond to Beijing with penalties, punitive actions will be unproductive if not accompanied by diplomatic discussions. Such dialogue may be necessary to prevent further conflicts given the potential for deadly accidents. Dr. Jian Zhang, an expert in international studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy, proposes the two states follow the model created by the U.S. and China after maritime incidents. China and Australia should develop mutually-agreed upon protocols to handle maritime military encounters. By establishing a strict procedure to follow, they could reduce the likelihood of conflict and impose penalties for breaking protocol.
Lasers can cause pain, vision flashes, or spots, and temporary blindness to pilots. If directed at pilots during critical moments, lasers could even lead to crashes. The Arafura Sea incident is not the first time the Chinese military has been accused of utilizing lasers against other states. According to CNN, a June 2018 report from the U.S. military detailed at least 20 suspected Chinese laser incidents in the Pacific over the course of several months. Australian helicopter pilots also reported witnessing lasers during missions over the South China Sea in 2019. Australia’s Defence Force refers to February’s conflict as an escalation from previous episodes. Relations between Beijing and Canberra have grown increasingly strained in recent years. After Prime Minister Morrison called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, China placed billions of dollars of new tariffs on Australian goods. Australia’s entry into a trilateral defence pact with the United States and United Kingdom infuriated Beijing as well. China has warned Australia that the state must decide whether it views Beijing as a partner or a threat.
Last week’s incident has the potential to further inflame tensions. As both militaries increase their presence in the region, the probability of a consequential mishap also rises. Canberra’s foreign policy towards China is becoming a hot issue in Australian domestic politics and Beijing is playing into these divisions, increasing the risk of escalation. While peaceful interactions may seem elusive given the current climate, they are possible. Both the United States and Japan have attempted to protect their regional interests while minimizing the risk of skirmishes with the Chinese military. China and Australia must commit to dialogue and look for similar solutions.
