Tokyo has expressed “serious concerns” to Beijing after a Chinese fighter jet came close to a Japanese aircraft operating in international airspace over the 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.
Analysts say the incidents reflect a longer-term shift in China’s regional posture.
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