Chilling audio recordings have revealed the tense moments before a Virgin Australia pilot was alerted to Chinese warships conducting live-fire drills off Australia’s east coast as they flew past the region.
The cockpit audio, obtained through Freedom of Information laws, offers a glimpse into the precise instant the commercial pilot learned about the imminent live firing by a Chinese warship in the Tasman Sea on February 21.
The recorded conversation, acquired by 9News, portrays the Virgin Australia pilot’s unease upon realizing the aircraft was heading into a potentially dangerous situation without prior warning to Australian authorities.
The pilot proactively notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the Chinese naval task force’s live firing exercise after receiving a warning directly from the Chinese navy.
During the radio exchange with ATC, the pilot expressed concern about the live firing exercise, prompting ATC to issue a hazard alert to other aircraft in the vicinity.
Although the Virgin Australia airplane remained outside the 10-mile danger zone, a nearby Emirates flight had to be redirected to avoid flying directly over the Chinese warship.
In a separate incident involving a Qantas flight, the pilot sought information about the missiles’ expected altitude, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
While China initially downplayed the incident, the Australian government sought assurances from Beijing regarding future exercises, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressing the matter with Chinese president Xi Jinping during a recent visit.
Following the diplomatic discussions, PM Albanese emphasized the importance of adherence to international law and expressed concerns over the notification process and conduct of the live-fire drills.
In response to Australia’s concerns, China’s defense ministry defended the drills as compliant with international law and safety standards, criticizing Australia for unwarranted accusations and sensationalizing the incident.