The incident happened in the Arafura Sea last week and was reported by Canberra on Saturday. The Arafura Sea is located off the northern coast of Australia, between its Northern Territory and the Indonesian province of Papua.

“We have not yet received an explanation, but what we have requested, working through diplomatic and defense channels, is a full investigation into this event and for them (China) to provide answers on how this dangerous act could be undertaken,” Morrison said in an interview with Sydney-based radio station 2GB, Sputnik reported.

The Australian prime minister went on to describe the incident as an “act of intimidation and bullying”, pointing out that it took place in the area claimed by Canberra as its “exclusive economic zone (EEZ)”.

Scott Morrison said the incident could have endangered the lives of Australian defense personnel who were on board Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon aircraft at the time.

“…We know that if you point lasers at the pilot’s eyes… It’s a direct threat to them and their safety. It’s a dangerous and reckless act,” Morrison remarked.

At a press conference on Sunday, a day after reports of the incident emerged from Australian authorities, Morrison said it was not the first time Canberra had detected the presence of Chinese navy vessels. off the coast of the country.

“And I can assure you that we are watching them closely. I am very concerned about the stocks…” he said.

Morrison also used the incident to justify Canberra’s need to be part of bands such as AUKUS and ‘Quad’.

“That’s why, among so many other reasons, we’ve come together to form important relationships like the AUKUS arrangement. And why we’re working with our Quad partners and others in the region to ensure that not only the ‘Australia does not have to put up with threats, intimidation and coercion, but that all countries that live in the Indo-Pacific region can expect a free and open Indo-Pacific,’ he said. – he points out.

The Australian, US and UK governments announced the AUKUS pact in September last year. Under AUKUS, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) would obtain the technology to develop advanced attack nuclear submarines (SSNs). The pact has been criticized by Beijing, which has accused Washington of inciting an “arms race” in the region.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad, is a diplomatic and semi-security grouping comprising Australia, Japan, India and the United States, seen by Beijing as directed to contain its economic and military influence. growing in the region.

The security incident surfaced ahead of a federal election this year.

Canberra’s ties to Beijing, its biggest trading partner, have come in for public scrutiny, with Morrison alleging in parliament this month that China favors opposition leader Anthony Albanese as its next prime minister. from the country.

The opposition Labor Party has accused the Morrison government of serving China’s economic “interests” and questioned the awarding of a 99-year lease of the port of Darwin to a Chinese company.