Well of course this is very concerning. It’s no surprise we have Chinese vessels moving through the sea. I am very concerned about the actions of using the lasers on an Australian surveillance aircraft. I can see it no other way than an act of intimidation, one that it unprovoked, unwarranted. And Australia will never accept such acts of intimidation…
I have no doubt that if it had been an Australian vessel, British vessel, American vessel, French vessel, Japanese vessel, or German for that matter, that was going through similar waters in the South China Sea, and it was done to a Chinese surveillance aircraft, then people could guess what the reaction to that would have been. It was a dangerous act … I thought it was a reckless and irresponsible act.
