Australia has slammed a “serious incident” between a Chinese warplane and an Australian military chopper that could have had “significant consequences”.

A J-10 Chinese Air Force plane fired flares in front of an Australian Seahawk helicopter that was involved in a training exercise in international waters near South Korea on Saturday.

The RAN aircraft was on a routine flight and operating from HMAS Hobart as part of an international effort to enforce UN sanctions on North Korea when the incident took place about 7.30pm.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the chopper was forced to take “evasive action” to prevent being hit.

“The PLA Air Force plane dropped flares about 300 metres in front of the Seahawk helicopter and about 60 metres above it, requiring the helicopter to take evasive action in order to not be hit by those flares,” Marles said.

“The consequence of being hit by the flares would have been significant. Importantly, the helicopter was unaffected and all the crew are safe.”

“This is a very serious incident. It was unsafe and it is completely unacceptable.”

An Australian Defence Force statement said the Chinese plane released flares along the flight path of the Australian military helicopter.

“This was an unsafe manoeuvre, which posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel,” it said.

“While there were no injuries sustained by ADF personnel or damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter, the safety and wellbeing of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority.

“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was “unacceptable and unprofessional”, and Australia’s views had been made clear to China.

“We’ve made the appropriate diplomatic representations, as you’d expect – we regard this as unprofessional and that it is unacceptable. And we’ve made clear that view to Beijing, both through Beijing and also through Canberra,” he told Nine’s Today show on Tuesday.

“It’s completely unacceptable that you have an Australian Defence Force personnel engaged in work, importantly for the international community, in international waters, international airspace … and they shouldn’t have been at any risk while they engaged in that behaviour.”

Quizzed by co-host Karl Stefanovic over whether he had “picked up the phone” to convey Australia’s views, Albanese said Beijing would be “very aware” of his opinion.

“We’ve made it very clear, Karl, through all of our channels, at all measures at our disposal, including here publicly. I’ll give you the big tip – China, will be very aware about this interview, all right? So they’ll be very aware of what our views are,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he feared an Australian military person would lose their life if such incidents continued. He urged Albanese to speak directly to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“This is not the first time that it’s happened. We know there have been other incidents … the threat continues to escalate,” Dutton said on Sunrise on Tuesday morning (AEST).

“As the Prime Minister rightly pointed out, we live in the most precarious period since the Second World War and this is further evidence of it.

“I fear that an Australian Defence Force member or members are going to lose their lives at some point.”

Last November, Australian navy divers from HMAS Toowoomba were injured after a Chinese warship issued sonar pulses.

China is yet to issue any response to the claims.

-with AAP