In the first friction with the Chinese military since the formation of a new government in Australia on May 21, Australia on Sunday accused the Chinese military of endangering the safety of the crew of its military aircraft after it was intercepted by a Chinese fighter late last month over the South China Sea.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a media statement Sunday that "on 26 May, a Chinese fighter intercepted an Australian B-8 reconnaissance aircraft, which flew at close range, fired heat balloons, increased speed and intercepted the course of the Australian aircraft, then (the Chinese aircraft) emptied a fibre cloud containing small pieces of aluminum, some of which entered the B8 engine ".

"Obviously, this is very dangerous."

The cabin crew were unharmed and were able to return to their base, according to Marles, but Australia informed Beijing that the incident was of concern.

The incident comes just three months after Australia accused the Chinese military of pointing lasers at an Australian military aircraft over Australia's northern coast midwife waters.

The former Australian Government described the incident as an "act of intimidation", stressing that it could endanger lives.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanizi said it was not unusual for Australia to conduct reconnaissance operations over the South China Sea, an area which China considered fully sovereign despite a decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague refuting Beijing's claims.

Albanizi said Australia had acted "in accordance with international law and exercised the right to freedom of navigation and overflight of international waters".

China's hardening position has led to heightened tension with the United States and its allies, and Washington insists on applying the principle of freedom of navigation in the region.

Earlier this month, Canada filed a similar accusation, stating that the Chinese Air Force acted "unprofessionally, threatening the safety" of members of the Canadian Army in international airspace in Asia.

Canadian aircraft were deployed in Japan as part of several States' efforts to enforce respect for North Korean sanctions.

During the flight, Canadian pilots sometimes had to suddenly change course "to avoid a possible collision with aircraft that tried to intercept them", according to the Canadian Army.