Defence reveals a Chinese fighter deployed flares in dangerous proximity to an Australian Poseidon jet while it was conducting a routine patrol of the South China Sea on Tuesday.

Chinese aircraft accused of ‘releasing flares within 30 metres’ of Australian aircraft. China says expulsion measures legitimate as Australia ‘deliberately intruded’ into its airspace.

In the run-up to the 2022 federal election, a Chinese spy ship was tracked for a week off the West Australian coast near the top-secret Harold E Holt naval communication station, with then defence minister Peter Dutton labelling it an aggressive act.