Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his apprehensions regarding a recent hazardous military encounter with China, asserting that the issue has been acknowledged.

On October 19, a Chinese aircraft dangerously released two flares in close proximity to a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane over the South China Sea. This action, described by Defence Minister Richard Marles as “unsafe and unprofessional,” posed a significant threat to the safety of those on board.

Albanese addressed this concerning incident during a conversation with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, China’s second-highest official, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia earlier today.

“We have areas of disagreement, and it is within such friendships that we can discuss matters openly. That is precisely what I did,” Albanese conveyed to journalists in Kuala Lumpur.

“This approach allows us to engage and communicate diplomatically, ensuring our stance is clearly understood. I articulated this directly during the meeting, as we did when the incident initially took place.”

“He heard the message very directly.”

The prime minister would not say how Li responded to the incident.

”I’m not here to report on what people say when I have meetings. I’m accountable for what I say,” he said.

“And I made the position directly clear that this was an incident of concern for Australia.”

Albanese’s meeting with Li was described as positive, as the pair focused on advancing their interests and relationship. 

“This is a relationship that has improved, that is stabilising. It’s a relationship that’s important for Australian jobs. It’s as simple as that,” he said, adding that China is Australia’s largest trading partner.

“I’ve said repeatedly we must cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, but engage in our national interest.”

China brushed off the military incident, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun telling a reporter who asked about it that “I’m not aware of what you mentioned”.

Chinese Senior Colonel Li Jianjian later accused Australia of illegally entering Chinese airspace over the Paracel, or Xisha, Islands without permission.

“Australia’s actions seriously infringe upon China’s sovereignty and are highly likely to lead to maritime and air incidents,” Li said.

“We urge Australia to immediately cease its infringing and provocative actions.”

Beijing claims the South China Sea as part of its territory despite an international tribunal ruling against any legal basis to its claim of the region in 2016.

Marles insisted that the aircraft was conducting a “routine maritime surveillance patrol” in international airspace and over international waters.

“Every moment, our crew was adhering to international law, let me be really clear about that,” he said in response to China’s accusation.

“What occurred on two occasions with the release of those flares being as close as they were, were unsafe and unprofessional.”

Earlier this year, there was a similar incident when a Chinese aircraft dropped flares within 30 metres of an Australian plane in the South China Sea.