China, Australia: Mid-Air Flare Incident Over South China Sea Highlights Mutual Distrust

A Chinese Su-35 fighter jet engaged an Australian P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft over the Paracel Islands of the disputed South China Sea, releasing flares in close proximity and issuing a warning to the Australian aircraft in what China described as an intrusion of its airspace, the South China Morning Post reported on Oct. 20. ...