Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares “in close proximity” to its patrol jet over the South China Sea.

The Australian government has raised its concern with Beijing over the “unsafe and unprofessional” manoeuvre, the defence department said in a statement on Monday.

There was no damage to Australia’s P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday’s encounter.

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Australia Defence Force said it expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner.

This is the latest in a string of encounters between the two countries’ militaries in the region, where China’s vast claims over islands and outcrops overlap with those of its neighbours.

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