China accuses Australia of stoking tensions as Penny Wong seeks to partner with the Philippines

• China recently launched a missile test
• Its navy clashed with the Filipino navy
• Australia said the incidents were 'concerning' 

A Chinese official lashed out at Australia for 'exaggerating tensions' in the Pacific despite launching a missile with little warning and confronting another navy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday said Australia was concerned about 'aggression' and 'destabilising conduct' from China following an incident between the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The CCG was accused of assaulting a member of the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea on Monday after personnel collided in inflatable boats.

The AFP claimed the Chinese boat had illegally entered its waters and alleged a Chinese soldier responded by hitting one of the Filipino men on the head with a wooden paddle.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed Wong's concern about the incident as Australia stoking tensions in the region.

'Whenever there is the slightest disturbance at sea … the same small handful of countries rush to the forefront to oppose China without regard for the facts,' Lin said.

'China urges the relevant countries to stop exaggerating tensions and inciting confrontation, and to genuinely respect the efforts made by regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.'

At a press conference in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday, Wong said the confrontation on Monday and a recent missile test from China were 'concerning'.

'We are concerned about some of the aggression we are seeing, we are concerned about some of the destabilising conduct we are seeing,' she said.

'The countries of the region have a choice to make about how we all respond to that and Australia believes we should respond to that by working for peace and stability … [and] by continuing to call for and encouraging compliance with observation of international law and of safe and professional conduct at sea and in the air.'

Wong is expected to address the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Manila on Thursday.

She's set to use her speech to urge the Philippines and neighbouring nations to work closely with Australia. 

'The strategic landscape has changed. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the foundations of our societies and the nature of conflict,' she is expected to say.

'Australia sees our responsibility as helping shape that change.

'We don't want any single power to set the terms of our future.'

The speech will be delivered just weeks after China launched a nuclear-capable missile for testing in the South China Sea.

Australia was given a couple of hours' warning before the missile test.

China is rapidly building its nuclear arsenal and has given little information to Pacific countries about its capability or plans.

'China's test of a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile from the South China Sea earlier this month came with too little information and notification, particularly to the Philippines, which the missile flew over, and Pacific nations, near where the missile landed,' Wong will say.

'It is why we support the international practice set by the Hague Code of Conduct when it comes to ballistic missile activities.'

Wong met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in Manila on Tuesday evening to highlight her concerns.

'You speak about the importance of mutual understanding,' she said.

'I agree, and I expect we will discuss our concerns ... including around peace and stability in our region, safe and professional military conduct, and the importance of transparency and reassurance of intent.'

China's foreign ministry hit back at Wong's comments, saying Australia was not party to the South China Sea issue and had no right to intervene.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

'You've often heard me say that we will co-operate where we can and disagree where we must, and we want to continue to engage because we believe that is in our national interest,' Wong said.

Australia was only given a few hours' notice by China of the test, which was launched within hours of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signing a new defence alliance with Fiji.

The missile is understood to have landed near Tuvalu.

In a statement published by Chinese state media, Wang is reported to have voiced his hope Australia would uphold the principle of 'non-interference in internal affairs and abandon double standards'.

'Wang emphasised that both sides should address differences with mutual respect and equality, seek common ground while managing disagreements, and foster a virtuous cycle of positive growth in the relations, rather than allowing it to be disrupted or undermined by prejudice,' the statement said.

Albanese slammed the launch as a 'provocative act' while other Pacific nations including New Zealand, Tuvalu and Fiji condemned the incident.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale was standing beside his Australian counterpart in Honiara in early July when he said the test was 'not the act of a friend'.

Australia has not ruled out increasing joint patrols of the South China Sea in tandem with the United States and Japan following the missile test. 

'The maritime zone is critical to stability in the region so, when we have a conversation about the South China Sea, that is something I'm sure we should all keep in mind,' she said.