The Chinese military's response to a Royal Australian Navy helicopter "posing a threat to China's maritime and airspace security" was legitimate, reasonable and professional, Chinese spokesmen said on Tuesday afternoon, adding that China had lodged solemn representations with Australia.

Ministry of National Defense spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said in a statement released on Tuesday that the remarks by the Australian side on the matter were "a distortion of facts and an attempt to shift blame", which China resolutely opposes.

In a news release issued on Monday, the Australian Department of Defense claimed that HMAS Hobart was in international waters in the Yellow Sea, undertaking "routine activities" to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, when an MH-60R helicopter launched by the destroyer was intercepted by a Chinese military aircraft.

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Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles described it as a "serious" and "unsafe" incident, according to a report by Reuters.

Zhang said that from Friday to Saturday, when a Chinese naval fleet was conducting training in the waters of the Yellow Sea, HMAS Hobart dispatched helicopters three times to conduct close-range reconnaissance and harassment of China's normal training activities.

"The actions taken by the Chinese military, including issuing warnings and driving away the intruders, were legitimate, reasonable and professional, fully in line with international law and practices," he said.

"We urge Australia to respect China's sovereignty and security concerns, and stop spreading false narratives."

He also asked the Australian side to strictly restrain its maritime and air forces, cease all dangerous provocations, and avoid disrupting the overall situation of China-Australia relations and bilateral military ties.

Also on Tuesday afternoon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to the incident at a regular news conference.

He said that the truth of the matter was that Australian warships and aircraft deliberately provoked incidents and endangered China's maritime and airspace security under the pretext of implementing UN Security Council resolutions.

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"For the purpose of warning, the Chinese military took necessary measures at the scene, and the relevant actions were lawful, compliant and in line with professionalism and safety," he said.

"China has lodged solemn representations with Australia regarding its reckless actions, urging Australia to immediately stop provocation and sensationalism to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments."

jiangchenglong@chinadaily.com.cn