Beijing, December 7 — China on Sunday rejected a Japanese protest over what Beijing called routine carrier-based fighter training east of the Miyako Strait, accusing Japan of interfering with the exercises and endangering flight safety.
Japan’s Defence Ministry told state media that Chinese fighter aircraft locked fire-control radar onto Japanese jets twice on Saturday over international waters southeast of Okinawa. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the incidents as “dangerous,” lodged a strong protest with Beijing and urged measures to prevent a recurrence.
Chinese state media Global Times quoted a People’s Liberation Army Navy spokesperson, Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, saying the training had been publicly announced in advance and accusing Japan of seriously interfering with normal operations. Wang demanded that Tokyo stop what he called slander and smearing, and warned the PLA Navy would take lawful measures to defend its security and rights.
NHK reported that at least one Chinese J-15 fighter launched from the carrier Liaoning and intermittently locked its radar onto Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15s scrambled in response to a possible airspace intrusion. A similar radar lock was reported between 18:37 and 19:08 when another F-15 was targeted. Japanese officials said there were no aircraft damages or injuries.
Koizumi said the Chinese actions went beyond what was necessary for safe flight. The episode adds to growing tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, following comments in November by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Japan could respond to Chinese military moves against Taiwan if they threatened Japanese security, according to previous reporting.
This article is based on syndicated reporting.
