【Text by Observers Network, Qi Qian】

Last month, an Australian military aircraft brazenly intruded into China's Xisha airspace and was resolutely intercepted and driven away by Chinese forces.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese previously mentioned this incident with a distorted account, falsely blaming China, and China has already made a serious diplomatic protest.

However, the Albanese government still shows no signs of reflection. According to Reuters, on November 3rd local time, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, during his opening speech at the "Naval Defense Exhibition" held in Sydney, unreasonably accused China of carrying out "the largest military buildup in the world today," claiming that this move has made it "increasingly dangerous" for the Australian military to protect its maritime trade routes.

Marles claimed that open sea lanes, including trade routes through the South China Sea and East China Sea, are Australia's core national interest.

"This work is challenging and increasingly dangerous," Marles then began to hype up the "Chinese military threat," stating that China is conducting "the largest military buildup in the world today." He asserted that such buildup occurs "in the absence of strategic guarantees," meaning that Australia and many other countries must respond.

According to him, Australia is increasing its defense spending to build a navy that is "more capable, more lethal, and with longer range." It is reported that this includes purchasing frigates from Japan, collaborating with American defense companies to develop underwater drones, and expanding naval shipyards facing the Indian Ocean.

Australian Defense Minister Marles participating in an event, Australian Defense Ministry

Reuters reports that dozens of naval and coast guard officials from the United States, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Pacific island nations are attending this defense exhibition in Sydney. This meeting comes as Australia prepares to establish a nuclear-powered submarine fleet with the U.S. and the UK through the "AUKUS" alliance.

According to local media reports, several Israeli companies are also participating in this exhibition. On the same day, hundreds of protesters, including pro-Palestinian groups, gathered outside the exhibition center to demonstrate and clashed with police.

On November 3rd, hundreds of protesters demonstrated against Israeli defense companies participating in the exhibition in Sydney, local media

The Australian Defense Department had previously hyped up that on October 19th, an Australian P-8A patrol aircraft encountered "unsafe and unprofessional interactions" with Chinese military 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 have occurred multiple times. However, the Australian side never mentions the fact that its aircraft intruded into Chinese airspace over thousands of kilometers.

Albanese, during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on October 27th, told reporters that during talks with Chinese officials, "I directly stated my position, and this incident has caused concern in Australia."

Defense Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Bin once responded that the Australian side's statements were distorted and false, attempting to cover up its aircraft's illegal intrusion into Chinese airspace, and we are strongly dissatisfied, having already made a serious diplomatic protest to the Australian side.

Jiang Bin emphasized that the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command resolutely intercepted and drove away the Australian military aircraft that intruded into the Xisha airspace of China, and the relevant actions were just, legal, professional, and restrained. The Australian side, which provoked and challenged China, but instead falsely accused China's legitimate actions as "unsafe" and "unprofessional," these twisted arguments don't hold anywhere.

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

From October 30th to 31st, the Philippines, with the help of external countries, stirred up trouble in the South China Sea, organizing so-called "joint patrols," and Australia also got involved.

Tian Junli, Air Force Colonel of the Southern Theater Command, stated on November 1st that this act seriously disrupted regional peace and stability. The situation further proves that the Philippines is a disruptor of the South China Sea issue and a destroyer of regional stability. The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command has organized forces to closely monitor and track, and any activities that stir up the South China Sea and create tension are under control. The theater forces remain highly vigilant and will resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7568666809021252138/

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