Among them is the mystery surrounding an F-35 fighter jet, parts of which are reportedly in Chinese possession now. With US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping headed for talks this evening, a lot of important issues are at play between both sides. The jet departed for the US from Australia months ago, but was diverted to Hong Kong.
However, Australia confirmed earlier this week that the diversion was made by mistake. There was initially no clarity on whether the parts were intentionally on inadvertently diverted. A cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door from an Australian military F-35 were headed to the US for inspection and possible repairs in May. The mystery surrounding the F-35 parts deepens at a crucial time from diplomatic standpoint.
The shipment had parts coated with radar-absorbing material that enhances their stealth capabilities, a Bloomberg report said. “We’ve been made aware of this, and we’re obviously working with the United States and Lockheed in terms of how we can assist in this investigation,” Defense Minister Richard Marles was quoted as saying in a CNN report. China has taken possession of the parts but so far hasn’t returned them, according to reports. A Chinese Embassy spokesman declined immediate comment, while the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said it was “not aware of the situation” on Thursday, Bloomberg said. “The juxtaposition is hard to miss,” Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, said on Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power. “The Chinese are holding some of our most sensitive technology and we are rolling out the red carpet for their president.”
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are all set to hold talks today, with all eyes set on whether the jet parts issue will come up.
