China Accuses Australia of Hiding South China Sea Airspace Breach

China Accuses Australia of Covering Up South China Sea Airspace Incursion BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 22, 2025 - In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations, China has accused Australia of covering up an incursion into Chinese airspace in response to Canberra's earlier claims about an unsafe and unprofessional incident involving their military aircraft over the South China Sea. According to a statement issued by China's Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Jiang Bin, Beijing had lodged a "solemn complaint" with Australia over what he described as Australia's attempts to cover up the "egregious illegal intrusion" of its military aircraft into Chinese airspace. "This is a serious breach of international law and a clear provocation," Jiang said. The incident in question occurred on October 15, when an Australian P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft allegedly entered Chinese airspace near the Qilianyu islands in the Paracel chain, which China considers part of its Hainan province. Australia's Defence Force had initially claimed that the aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance mission and that it did not intentionally enter Chinese airspace. However, China has disputed this account, with Jiang accusing Australia of "deliberately" trying to conceal the incident. "We have evidence that the Australian aircraft deliberately entered our airspace, causing a serious disturbance to regional security," he said. The South China Sea is a highly contested region, with multiple countries including China, the United States, and several Southeast Asian nations vying for control over its strategic waters and resources. The Paracel chain is particularly sensitive, as it has been the site of numerous territorial disputes between China and Vietnam in recent years. Australia's Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, had earlier described the incident as "unprofessional" and "unsafe", but stopped short of confirming whether the aircraft had entered Chinese airspace. "We are taking this matter seriously and will continue to work with our international partners to ensure regional security," he said. The latest developments come as tensions between China and Australia continue to escalate, with Beijing imposing trade restrictions on several Australian goods in recent months. The incident has also sparked concerns about the potential for further military confrontations in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, experts are warning of the potential implications for regional security and global stability. "This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and cooperation between nations in the South China Sea," said Dr. Ian Storey, a Southeast Asia expert at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. "The risk of miscalculation or escalation is very real, and we must work together to prevent it." In response to China's accusations, Australia has maintained that its aircraft was conducting a legitimate surveillance mission and did not intentionally enter Chinese airspace. The incident is expected to be discussed further at an upcoming meeting between Australian and Chinese defence officials. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the South China Sea remains a highly contested region, with multiple nations vying for control over its strategic waters and resources. The latest developments serve as a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency, cooperation, and diplomacy in this critical region. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*