China on Friday accused Australia of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea. The Asian country said Australia was spreading false narratives, but Australia maintained that its action adhered to international law.

Australia has raised concerns with China over what it said on Thursday were "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by a Chinese fighter jet towards an Australian maritime patrol in the South China Sea two days earlier,

"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,