A Chinese fighter jet set off flares near an RAAF plane, the Australian government says. Photo: AP PHOTO

A Chinese fighter jet has dropped flares in front of an Australian surveillance plane over the South China Sea, in an incident described as "unsafe and unprofessional" by the Albanese government.

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The RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft was carrying out a routine patrol on Sunday when the People's Liberation Army jet flew alongside it, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

He said on two occasions the Chinese aircraft released flares "very close" to the Australian plane.

A RAAF P-8A Pos

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