According to the Global Times, on October 20, Gao Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a regular press conference.

The Australian Department of Defense issued a statement on October 20, saying that on the 19th, an Australian Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft was conducting training exercises in the airspace over the South China Sea when Chinese military aircraft released interference bombs within close proximity to the Australian patrol aircraft. A foreign reporter asked about this.

Gao Jiakun said: "I am not familiar with the situation you mentioned."

Australian side has repeatedly hyped similar topics.

In February this year, the Australian Department of Defense claimed that one of its air force patrol aircraft was flying over the South China Sea when a Chinese air force aircraft conducted an "unsafe and unprofessional" interaction with it.

Gao Jiakun said at the time that Australian military aircraft had deliberately entered the airspace over the Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) of China without permission, infringing on China's sovereignty and endangering China's national security. The measures taken by China to drive away the aircraft were just and legal, professional and restrained. China has made serious representations to Australia, urging it to stop violating and provoking, and to stop undermining the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

In March, Ambassador Xiao Qian of China to Australia gave an interview to veteran political journalist Riley of Channel Seven in Australia. When asked whether Australian military aircraft entering Chinese airspace might trigger a military response, the ambassador stated that such behavior indeed carries the risk of escalation, which is something China is determined to avoid. Recently, Australian military aircraft have intruded into the airspace over the Xisha Islands up to a maximum depth of 6.2 kilometers, clearly infringing on China's sovereignty. Chinese military aircraft had no choice but to issue warnings and drive them away to prevent escalation of the situation. This is a proper action by China to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.

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