Sky News host Chris Smith says China is “not to be trusted” as it poses a “massive threat to the free world”.

Mr Smith said the “dangerous act of intimidation” committed when a Chinese fighter jet intercepted an Australian surveillance aircraft was “a focal point of discussion” at a “top-level defence summit this weekend”.

“And it was the U.S. Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, who was one of the first to hit out at China for its dangerous confrontations with Australian aircraft."

Mr Smith said the issue is "way beyond just a 'worry'".

“In concert with what the Chinese foreign minister has been up to recently in the Pacific, and the raft of agreements he's forced down the throats of Island leaders, China is not to be treated lightly."