China Accuses Australia of Deliberate Provocation in South China Sea

By Liz Lee, Xiuhao Chen and Kirsty Needham

BEIJING, Feb 14 (Reuters) – China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading “false narratives,” though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.

The incident, in which Australia’s defense minister said a Chinese PLA J-16 jet released flares within 30 m (100 feet) of an RAAF aircraft, comes amid ties strained by navy and air force interactions that Australia has called dangerous.

Friday’s comments came a day after Australia flagged “unsafe and unprofessional” actions by the jet towards the patrol which it said was on routine surveillance in international waters on Tuesday, an account …