Chinese naval troops recently expelled an Australian ship-borne helicopter over international waters in the Yellow Sea, which the Chinese side said on Tuesday is "reasonable" and "fully complied with international law" as the helicopter disturbed the Chinese navy's normal training.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, rebutted Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles' claim that the Chinese fighter jet's "interception" of the helicopter on May 4 was "a very serious incident."

Zhang said the Chinese military's measure to expel an Australian naval helicopter was reasonable, safe, professional and legal.

According to Zhang, a Chinese naval fleet conducted training in China's Yellow Sea from May 3 to 4, during which time Australian guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart dispatched a ship-borne helicopter three times to conduct close-in reconnaissance and disturb the Chinese side's normal training activities.

The Chinese troops vocally warned the Australian helicopter and then conducted operations to expel it, which Zhang said fully complied with international law and practice.

"We urge the Australian side to truly respect China's sovereignty and security concerns, cease spreading false narratives, strictly constrain the operations of its naval and air forces, stop all dangerous provocations, and avoid undermining the overall relationship between the two countries and the two militaries," stressed the spokesperson.