Chinese and Australian naval vessels had an “encounter” in the South China Sea, China’s Defense Ministry said on Friday. Australian media reports earlier said that the country’s warships were challenged by the Chinese military there. The Chinese ships on Sunday used professional language to communicate with the Australian side, and China’s actions were lawful, professional and safe, the ministry said in a statement, as cited by Reuters. “The relevant reports in the Australian media do not accord with the facts,” it added.