During a press conference on Dec. 15, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said Australia’s recent military flight in the South China Sea was “deliberately complicating the situation” there.
![W020151215666982206392[1]](http://alert5.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/W0201512156669822063921.jpg)
On the same day, the Australian Defence Department confirmed the incident on Nov. 15, which was recorded down by the BBC.
“A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion was conducting a routine maritime patrol in the region as part of Operation GATEWAY from 25 November to 4 December.
“Under Operation Gateway, the Australian Defence Force conducts routine maritime surveillance patrols in the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea as a part of Australia’s enduring contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in South East Asia.”
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