Australia faces strained diplomatic ties on a new front after China lashed out at comments from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and called for an immediate correction.
Ms Bishop expressed "concern" this week that China's claim of an air-defence zone in the East China Sea was done without consultation and could increase tensions in the region.
Her comments on Tuesday drew an angry response on Wednesday from China's foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang.
"Australia's irresponsible statements on the East Sea air defence identification zone are completely mistaken, China cannot accept them," he said in a statement posted online, according to AFP.
He said China had "expressed its strong dissatisfaction" and called on Australia to "immediately correct its mistake, so as to avoid damaging China-Australia relations", AFP said.
Washington and Tokyo have also expressed concerns similar to Ms Bishop since the zone, which includes airspace over a small group of islands claimed by both China and Japan, was established on Saturday.
Ms Bishop also said on Tuesday the matter would be raised when she travels to China in the next couple of weeks.
"This was done without any consultation, as I understand it, and we want to understand China's intentions and why they did it and why they made the announcement," she said on Tuesday night.
It was Australia's long-standing position there be no coercive or unilateral action to upset the status quo in relation to the East China Sea, she said.
Ms Bishop said the timing of the announcement had the potential to increase already existing tensions over an issue already prompting concerns.
She said Australia doesn't take sides in the territorial disputes but has an interest to ensure stability and peace is maintained in the region.
Comment was being sought from Ms Bishop's office on Wednesday.
Ms Bishop later said in a statement: "I have already expressed our concerns publicly and privately.
"I expect this will be a topic of discussion in my upcoming visit to Beijing".
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