Chinese fighter jets buzzing Japanese aircraft: ‘a new status quo'?
East China Sea on two occasions this week, with analysts suggesting that a pattern is emerging of China being increasingly willing to challenge
Japan at sea and in the air.
According to Japan's Defence Ministry, a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flew within 70 metres of an Air Self-Defence Force YS-11EB electronic surveillance aircraft on Wednesday and maintained that position for about 15 minutes. A similar approach took place the following day and lasted about 10 minutes.
Tokyo lodged a formal protest with Beijing on Thursday, calling the behaviour 'abnormal' and warning that such close contact risked 'accidental collisions'. It urged Chinese authorities to take steps to prevent a repeat of the incidents.
The encounters came just a month after Tokyo protested against another
'abnormal approach' by a Chinese fighter jet – this time launched from the aircraft carrier Shandong – towards a Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft monitoring Chinese naval manoeuvres over the Pacific Ocean.
A J-15 fighter jet from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong making an unusual approach to a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force P-3C patrol aircraft that was conducting surveillance above the Pacific Ocean on June 8. Photo: Japan's Ministry of Defence / AFP
Analysts say the incidents reflect a longer-term shift in China's regional posture.
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