China accused Australia of distorting facts and using inflammatory rhetoric following a mid-air encounter between the nations’ military aircraft and urged Canberra to avoid undermining bilateral ties.

Australia's statements about an incident involving Chinese military aircraft over the South China Sea are an attempt to cover up an Australian "intrusion" into Chinese airspace, the Chinese defence ministry said on Wednesday.

A Chinese fighter jet and a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft had an “unsafe and unprofessional” interaction as the two operated over the waters of the South China Sea, Canberra officials said Monday.

China and Australia are trading accusations after a recent incident involving military aircraft over the South China Sea. Australia claims a Chinese jet dropped flares dangerously close to an Australian surveillance plane near the Paracel Islands,

China has hit out at claims of “unsafe” and “unprofessional” military activity in the South China Sea after Australia lodged a formal protest over the incident.

China has fiercely hit back at Australia over an airspace interaction between the two countries that has seen tensions flare, and claimed an Australian plane “seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty”.

President Donald Trump said he wants to accelerate nuclear submarine deliveries to Australia under the AUKUS agreement during White House meeting.