China in turn accused the Australian plane of "deliberately" intruding into airspace over the disputed Paracel Islands,

While it has no claims to the South China Sea, Australia has aligned itself close to the US and its allies in saying that China's assertions have no legal basis. "Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner," the department said in a statement on Thursday.

Australia has raised concerns with China over what it said on Thursday were "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by a Chinese fighter jet towards an Australian maritime patrol in the South China Sea two days earlier,

Defence reveals a Chinese fighter deployed flares in dangerous proximity to an Australian Poseidon jet while it was conducting a routine patrol of the South China Sea on Tuesday.

Australia has accused the Chinese air force of an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with one of Canberra’s military aircraft over the South China Sea during a routine maritime surveillance operation.

Australia complained to Beijing after a dangerous encounter with a Chinese fighter jet and sent a frigate to the Torres Strait to shadow three Chinese warships.

Australia has accused China ’s military of “unsafe and unprofessional” conduct following an incident over the contested South China Sea. The Australian government said a Chinese J-16 fighter released flares close to one of its maritime patrol aircraft, posing a risk to the plane and its crew.

Australia has protested what it describes as an unsafe and unprofessional interaction over the South China Sea where a Chinese fighter is accused of releasing flares that endangered an Australian mili

China has been quick to respond to claims a Chinese fighter jet released flares within 30 metres of an Australian aircraft.