US Navy chief blasts China’s ‘provocative’ interceptions

News Snapshot:

A US Defence Department report released last month said since mid-2021, there had been 180 documented instances of Chinese warplanes intercepting US planes in the Indo-Pacific, and a further 100 cases of Chinese challenges to US and allies’ and partners’ ships and aircraft. The report cited two instances in 2022 when Chinese planes had targeted Australian P-8 surveillance aircraft, with Admiral Paparo confirming Australian forces had been subjected to “unsafe” actions by the Chinese. “They are increasingly provocative and it’s deeply concerning,” he said. “At times they have hazarded themselves and they’ve hazarded the vessels and aircraft they have interacted...