Australia is fuming because a Chinese military plane released flares close to its military plane in South China Sea. The Australian government said on Thursday (February 13) raised concerns about the incident involving a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and China's People's Liberation Army-Air Force (PLA-AF)

A People’s Liberation Army Air Force J-16 fighter released flares 30 meters away in front of a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon on patrol in the South China Sea on Tuesday prompting the Australian government to express its concern to China on such actions.

According to the Australian Defence Ministry, the PLA-AF aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A, posing a risk to the aircraft and its crew. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported.

Canberra criticised the ‘unsafe and unprofessional’ manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.

"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 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

Australia spotted three Chinese warships sailing near its coast as Beijing accused Canberra of sending a spy plane into its "territorial airspace" over the contested South China Sea. Newsweek has contacted the Australian and Chinese militaries for comment by email.

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