Article: https://english.news.cn/20251020/0185193c3a684b29b30c9d2160138784/c.html
The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army reported that it expelled an Australian P-8A military aircraft for illegally intruding into China’s territorial airspace over Xisha Qundao. According to a Chinese military spokesperson, the Australian aircraft entered the airspace without the required approval from the Chinese government. In response to the intrusion, the theater command organized naval and air forces to track and surveil the aircraft. They took strong countermeasures and issued warnings, compelling the Australian aircraft to leave the area. The spokesperson emphasized that Australia’s actions seriously infringed upon China’s sovereignty and heightened the risk of maritime and air incidents.China has issued a stern warning to Australia, demanding an immediate cessation of what it considers infringements and provocative acts. The Chinese military maintains that its troops remain on high alert, ready to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security.
The first thing I was curious about was why the Australian aircraft crossed over China’s territorial airspace. Australia claims its aircraft was flying in international airspace, while China claims it illegally intruded into their territory. This is part of the ongoing tension between China and Australia where Australia declares their right to freedom of navigation and overflight based on international law, but China considers these actions provocative and a violation of its sovereignty. Each Country seems to have a very different perspective in this situation which is causing dispute and disagreement over territorial airspace and whether or not Australia should be able to fly over China’s borders. However, I am still wondering why Australia is passing over the South China sea.
Li Jianjian, a spokesperson for the Air Force of the theater command, feels as if the aircraft crossed illegally and feels like it risks air incidents and maritime as well as threatening China’s sovereignty. Australia claims to just want freedom of transportation and navigation through the air with their aircrafts, but China will not agree with that. However, Australia seems to also be prodding China to see how far they will defend their land since the south china sea is minimal china territory as all they have there are their artificial islands.
The first connection this event has to class is China’s concern with their sovereignty as Australia passes over their territory. China and Australia are two states with sovereignty and this sovereignty relates back to the Peace of Westphalia, which was one of the starting events that originated the International System. This situation can be a collective good problem due to both of the countries having different national interests.