Chinese destroyer fires LASER at Australian warplane in ‘dangerous’ clash as South China Sea tensions rage

AUSTRALIAN defence officials have slammed the “dangerous” actions of a Chinese navy ship after it reportedly fired a laser at an Oz warplane.   The military grade laser beams, which can potentially blind pilots, was reported earlier this week amid continuing tensions over the South China Sea dispute. A Chinese navy vessel has been accused of firing a laser According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Republic of China naval destroyer lased the RAFF Poseidon aircraft in an act that was deemed “unsafe and unprofessional” in violation of international codes and agreements. Officials confirmed the incident after Luyang-class guided missile destroyer was spotted sailing through the Arafura Sea on Thursday. The statement from the Australian Defence Department confirmed that it had detected the laser as it was crossing through the country’s “northern approaches” as they subsequently warned of it’s potential to endanger lives. The Governmental body said: “We strongly condemn unprofessional and unsafe military conduct. These actions could have endangered the safety and lives of the ADF personnel. “Such actions are not in keeping with the standards we expect of professional militaries.” They later confirmed that the vessel, which was accompanied by another People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship, was tracked by HMAS Launceston as it sailed through the Coral Sea. Most read in News 'TRULY MISSED' James Cameron leads tributes to Oscar winner after tragic death at 59 SICK ATTACK Terrifying moment thug grabs woman from behind and pins her to the ground EPSTEIN PAL DEAD Disgraced fashion agent who ‘abused' Andrew 'sex slave' dies in prison TAKING A BATTERING Floods & 70mph winds to hit TOMORROW as snow hampers £500m clean up KILLER STORM Four people killed by debris and falling trees in Storm Eunice’s 122mph winds BLOW WAY OUT UK faces 3 more days of Storm Eunice warnings after 122mph gusts left 4 dead The incident is seen latest dispute over Chinese territorial ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region that includes the South China sea. Rory Medcalf, the head of the Australian National University’s National Security College, responded by calling the act “dangerous and unacceptable” as it was “happening in our backyard.” He said “This emphasises the strategic logic of the Pacific step-up and the need for our military to be vigilant right around our coastline. “It also points to a new level of recklessness in China’s military behaviour in our backyard.” The comments come after Australia announced a a historic security pact with the US and UK in what was seen as an effort to counter Chinese aggression. The AUKUS defence alliance includes a deal that would see the two Western giants share nuclear secrets. China quickly condemned the agreement as “extremely irresponsible”. Meanwhile, ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it “seriously undermines regional peace and stability and intensifies the arms race.” RexAustralian defence officials stated that a RAFF Poseidon aircraft was targeted[/caption] RexTwo People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship were reportedly spotted sailing through the Arafura Sea[/caption]