Why authorities are alarmed by these pictures showing three Chinese men taking photos at an Australian military show

Australia’s major air show banned Russia and China
Showcasing defence aircraft it hosted service chiefs
Three Chinese men aroused suspicion of security expert

A group of Chinese men taking photos at an Australian aerospace and defence air show have aroused suspicions after authorities banned China‘s military from attending amid escalating strategic tensions in the region.

An Australian national security expert, who suspects three men he saw photographing the first restricted day of the Avalon airshow may have been ‘spying’, is preparing a report for the Department of Defence.

The three men pulled out large camera and photographed the show and the crowd attending, which included 22 chiefs of service from other countries and Australia

The Australian Defense Department has stated that neither China nor Russia were invited to participate in Avalon 2023 due to escalating strategic tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine War.

RAAF chief Air Marshal Rob Chipman, told attendees – which included international defence and government delegations including armed services chiefs and military officials – that the nation’s competitive advantage would be crucial in future conflict prevention.

It is the second year the Defence Department has shut out China and Russia with RAN chief Vice Admiral Mike Noonan revoking invitations to China and Russia in 2022 to attend a naval conference in Sydney because of deteriorating ties.

Mr Parker, who himself photographed the trio of men, said the men showed intense interest in recording the show and the attendees.

After revealing the possible security breach to Chris Smith’s TNT radio program, Mr Parker said the men were armed with sophisticated camera equipment.

‘I may go to ASIO, I’ll be making a report to the Department of Defence,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.