Australian police arrest former US fighter pilot who worked in China

The Australian Federal Police has arrested a former US fighter pilot and aviation instructor who worked in China, following a request by the US government.

A spokesperson for the attorney-general's department told 9news.com.au an individual was arrested last Friday following a request from the US government.

"As the matter is before the courts, it would not be appropriate to comment further," the spokesperson said.

READ MORE: China warns Australia over stoking 'new Cold War'

News agency Reuters has named the person as Daniel Edmund Duggan, 54, who was detained by the AFP in Orange, in the NSW Central Tablelands.

Court records show he appeared before the bench last Friday.

He has been denied bail and was scheduled for a further court appearance in Sydney next month.

Duggan is a former US citizen who would likely face formal extradition proceedings.

The arrest came the same week as the Australian government said it was investigating reports some Australian Defence Force pilots have been approached to work in China.

READ MORE: China headhunting Aussie military pilots triggers urgent investigation

Defence Minister Richard Marles said officials had launched an investigation.

The UK government said that up to 30 former British military pilots had been recruited by the Chinese Liberation Army Air Force for training purposes.

China is using third parties to find British and other western pilots to directly train Chinese pilots, as well as state-owned defence industry companies and research institutions, the UK Defence Ministry said.