China has lodged solemn representations with Australia for repatriating Chinese students travelling to the country, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday.

"Recently, Australian border law-enforcement officers have conducted gratuitous searches several times on Chinese students entering Sydney. They searched through those students' mobile phones and personal belongings, and cancelled their visas and repatriated them in the name of 'hiding so-called military training experience'," Wang said.

The training organized by Chinese colleges or universities is identified by the Australian officers as "military training," said Wang, adding that the repatriation "harms the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students studying in Australia."

"What Australia has done runs counter to the mutually beneficial nature of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China urges Australia to stop harming others and create a sound atmosphere and necessary conditions for cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation," Wang added. 

China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students in Australia, said Wang.