A spat has erupted between Australia and China over an aircraft incident in the South China Sea. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS

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 says.

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The defence ministry says it has complained to Canberra about the matter.

The ministry was referring to an incident around the Paracel Islands in which Australia claimed a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares near one of its maritime patrol planes.

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