Australia Accuses China of Shining Laser at Surveillance Plane

SYDNEY—Australia accused the Chinese navy of shining a army-quality laser at a surveillance airplane flying in excess of its territorial waters, in the newest escalation of tensions that have found the two international locations clash in excess of trade, cybersecurity and election interference.

The P-8A Poseidon plane was monitoring two Chinese navy ships that have been sailing east by way of the Arafura Sea north of Australia on Feb. 17 when it was specific by a laser from a single of the vessels, Australia’s Defense Office claimed.