The Australian government has rejected China's claim that sheltering two foreign correspondents in its embassy amounted to interference in a police investigation.
The two journalists, Bill Birtles from the ABC and Michael Smith of the Australian Financial Review, sought refuge in Australian diplomatic compounds last week after being approached by Chinese state security.
The pair were banned from leaving China until they answered questions about another Australian journalist accused of endangering national security.
Australian officials secured their departure after both men agreed to be interrogated.
Senior cabinet minister Simon Birmingham said the Australian government had done nothing wrong by providing the correspondents refuge in the compounds.
Senator Birmingham said embassy staff provided the two journalists appropriate protection and ensured they could safely leave China, while engaging with Chinese authorities so both men could be interviewed.
"This was respectful of China's processes but also protected the safety of these two Australian journalists," he told the ABC on Friday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian has accused Australia of acting outside of the "scope of consular protection".
"The Australian Embassy in China wantonly obstructed and disrupted the normal law enforcement activities," he said on Thursday night.
"In essence, they amount to disruption in the Chinese side's lawful investigation and interference in China's domestic affairs and judicial sovereignty."
Beijing's expulsion of the Australian correspondents appears to be in response to ASIO raids on Chinese journalists.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian attends a press conference in Beijing. Source: Kydpl Kyodo
But Senator Birmingham has denied Australia provoked the retaliation.
Labor's Deputy Leader Richard Marles also backed Australian diplomats' handling of the situation facing the two foreign correspondents.
"The relationship between Australia and China is obviously in a very difficult place," he told reporters.
"What we’ve seen this week is of enormous concern … the relationship is not in a place where we would want it to be. We need to see the relationship with China put back on track."
"Our government takes foreign interference matters very seriously - we appropriately respond in relation to any foreign interference concerns raised in Australia," he said.
"We go through actions fully in accordance with our own laws, transparently so, our agencies are accountable for how they conduct their operations."
Up to six journalists and scholars suspected of being Chinese agents have since left Australia or been banned from coming back.
Liberal senator James Paterson has questioned whether Chinese journalists should be given access to federal parliament.
Crossbench Senator Rex Patrick has also called for officials to review the visa of Chinese state media representatives in Australia.
Senator Birmingham said as long as accredited journalists met the standards required, it did not matter which country they came from.
"When it comes to our parliament, we should be open to any journalist who meets the standard to be able to be there," he said.
Additional reporting by Tom Stayner.
