ANKARA

Beijing on Monday contradicted Australia's claims on “unsafe” aerial interaction over the South China Sea, saying it expelled an Australian aircraft that “illegally intruded” China’s airspace.

“The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Sunday expelled an Australian P-8A military aircraft that illegally intruded into China's territorial airspace over the Xisha Qundao,” a military spokesman said, according to the state-run Xinhua News.

The remarks from Beijing came after Australia on Monday expressed concern over what it called an "unsafe" and "unprofessional" interaction in the South China Sea, when a Chinese Su-35 fighter jet allegedly released flares near an Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft.

The incident occurred on Sunday as a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was conducting a surveillance mission in the South China Sea, the Australian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"The PLA-AF (People's Liberation Army-Air Force) aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft. This was an unsafe and unprofessional maneuver that posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel," the statement said.

No injuries were sustained by Australian Defense Force (ADF) personnel nor was damage caused to the RAAF P-8A, it added, noting that "the safety and wellbeing of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority."

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

"All maritime claims must be consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," it concluded.