Chinese aircraft accused of ‘releasing flares within 30 metres’ of Australian aircraft. China says expulsion measures legitimate as Australia ‘deliberately intruded’ into its airspace.

China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading "false narratives", though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.

Australia accused China of unsafe military conduct after a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares near an Australian surveillance plane in the South China Sea.

"All countries are expected to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in and above international sea lines of communication, such as the South China Sea, and to avoid interference in legitimate activities conducted in international waters and airspace,

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,