What China seems to be saying with its war games near Australia is: If you’re challenging our air space over the South China Sea, which belongs to

Australia has accused the Chinese air force of an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with one of Canberra’s military aircraft over the South China Sea during a routine maritime surveillance operation.

Canberra says Chinese jet dropped flares nears its air force plane as China accuses Australia of airspace intrusion.

I was very clear in that.” Australian military officials have reportedly raised concerns with their Chinese counterparts about a midair incident over the South China Sea, as senior officials met in Beijing.

Australia and China traded blame over an incident above the disputed Paracel archipelago in the South China Sea, adding to an already volatile situation in the region. A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft experienced an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft on Tuesday,

Accusation comes after Australia says a Chinese military jet conducted ‘unsafe’ manoeuvres over international waters.

Australia's defense forces, joined by New Zealand, have been monitoring Chinese navy vessels since they were spotted last week.

A Chinese military helicopter flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday, in what observers said was the second incident of potentially catastrophic behavior by the People’s Liberation Army against foreign aircraft in a week.

China accused Australia of deliberately "provoking" China in the South China Sea this week, and of "invading" and "breaking into" the homes of others, its defence ministry said on Friday. The ministry spokesperson said Australia was spreading "false narratives".

China didn’t violate any rules with its live-fire naval exercises. So, why are Australia and New Zealand so worried?