【By Liu Bai, Observer News】Australian aircraft recently brazenly intruded into China's Xisha airspace, and was resolutely intercepted and driven away by Chinese forces. On October 27, Australian Prime Minister Albanese mentioned the incident and even tried to shift the blame, claiming that Australia was concerned about it.

According to Reuters, Albanese said during a press conference in Malaysia while attending the ASEAN Summit that "I directly expressed my position to Chinese officials, and this incident has made Australia concerned."

Albanese also stated that Australia can manage differences through dialogue with its largest trading partner, China, under the context of improving and stabilizing bilateral relations.

"We have differences, but friends can honestly discuss issues. That is what I did," he said.

According to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Albanese emphasized the importance of maintaining "a more mature, stable, and constructive engagement" with China during the meeting, and said that Australia "remains committed to stabilizing the relationship between the two countries."

He also reiterated that there are "common interests" between the two countries, including trade and climate change.

On October 21, Australian Prime Minister Albanese left Washington. IC Photo

The Australian Department of Defense previously claimed that on October 19, an Australian P-8A patrol aircraft was subjected to "unsafe and unprofessional interaction" by Chinese aircraft while patrolling in the South China Sea, releasing interference bombs that posed a danger to the Australian aircraft and personnel, and that such incidents had occurred multiple times.

However, the Australian side never mentioned the fact that its aircraft had intruded into Chinese airspace from afar.

When responding to questions from reporters on the 22nd, the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, Jiang Bin, pointed out that the Australian statement distorted facts and shifted the blame onto China, trying to cover up the serious act of Australian aircraft illegally intruding into Chinese airspace. We are strongly dissatisfied with this and have made a serious protest to the Australian side.

Jiang Bin emphasized that the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command organized forces to resolutely intercept and drive away the Australian aircraft that intruded into China's Xisha airspace. The relevant actions were just, legal, and professional and restrained. Australia, which provoked and challenged China, falsely accused China's legitimate defense actions as "unsafe" and "unprofessional." Such fallacies are not acceptable anywhere.

"We urge Australia to immediately stop provocation and hype, strictly control the actions of frontline naval and air forces, and avoid damaging Sino-Australian bilateral and military relations. The Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security, and resolutely maintain regional peace and stability," Jiang Bin said.

Other than the issue involving China, Albanese also revealed that a leaders' meeting of the Quad (the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia) may be held in the first quarter of next year.

According to tradition, the location of the Quad summit rotates among the four countries, and it was originally expected to be held in India this year.

"I hope the meeting can be held in the first quarter of next year," Albanese said. "U.S. President Trump will be busy in the early part of 2025, including visiting South Korea later this week to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit."

This article is an exclusive contribution by Observer News. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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