China blames Japan for maritime, air security risks

Beijing urges Tokyo to ‘cease such dangerous behavior,’ a day after Japan said a Chinese jet had a ‘near miss’ flight engagement with a Japanese military patrol plane

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Thursday blamed Japan for close-in reconnaissance flights and vessel passages, a day after Tokyo said a Chinese and a Japanese jet had a “near miss” over the Pacific, state media reported.

“The close-in reconnaissance conducted by Japanese vessels and aircraft against China's normal military activities is the root cause of maritime and air security risks,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

“China urges Japan to cease such dangerous behavior,” Lin added.

On Wednesday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said a Chinese fighter jet had a “near miss” flight engagement with a Japanese military patrol plane over the Pacific.

The Chinese aircraft flew as close as 45 meters (nearly 148 feet) away from a Japanese Self-Defense Forces patrol plane after taking off from a moving aircraft carrier, it added.

“China's activities in the relevant maritime and airspace are fully in compliance with international law and international practices,” said Lin.

Lin added that the defense departments of the two countries “are maintaining communication through existing channels.”

Kaynak: