Beijing has ramped up criticisms of Australia over a tense military encounter over the South China Sea on Sunday, accusing the ADF of distributing "twisted and absurd propaganda" and "provoking" China.

The federal government revealed on Monday that a Chinese fighter jet had released two flares dangerously close to an Australian P8 surveillance plane near the Paracel Islands, labelling the actions "unsafe and unprofessional".

No Australian crew members were injured and no damage was done, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

Chinese fighter jet released flares 'very close' to Australian aircraft

Defence Minister Richard Marles says the incident was "unsafe and unprofessional" and the government has made representations to China.

China's Southern Theatre Command rejected that account

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