Japan’s ministry of defense has recently confirmed a number of harassing encounters in the Pacific Ocean. Chinese J-15 fighter jets have been flown aggressively against Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft during these unsafe encounters. These incidents have triggered grave concerns about airspace safety and military behavior in the area.
Just on Saturday, a Chinese J-15 fighter jet launched from China’s Shandong aircraft carrier intercepted and chased a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft. That exciting chase continued for around 40 minutes. The very next day, yet another J-15 pursued a Japanese P-3C for 80 minutes, flying dangerously close to the Japanese aircraft. In this most recent engagement, the Chinese fighter passed directly in front of the P-3C at a range of only 900 meters (2,952 feet). It subsequently closed within a dangerous 145 feet (45 meters) of the aircraft.
Incidentally, the Japanese P-3C aircraft were conducting regular surveillance operations over international waters in the Pacific when these incidents took place. Japan’s defense ministry has released close-up images of the J-15 jet involved in Sunday’s encounter, which further underscores the seriousness of these confrontations.
Even under such hotly contested circumstances, there was not a single reported damage to the Japanese aircraft or to their aircrews. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi went on to voice his serious concerns about the dangers these encounters present.
“We have expressed serious concern to the Chinese side and solemnly requested prevention of recurrence,” – Yoshimasa Hayashi
The incidents are compounded by the presence of China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was spotted inside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Saturday. The Liaoning’s takeoffs and landings, which occurred outside of Japan’s EEZ on Sunday, have further escalated tensions in the region.
Japan’s defense ministry described the close encounters with Chinese warplanes as “abnormal.” They called attention to the significant danger that these circumstances create for unintended vehicle-pedestrian crashes. The ministry reiterated its determination to protect the safety of airspace surrounding Japan’s borders.
“Such abnormal approaches by Chinese military aircraft could potentially cause accidental collisions,” – Japan’s defence ministry
Hayashi reaffirmed Tokyo’s stance to maintain dialogue with Beijing at various levels. This combined effort hopes to reduce the incidence of such tragedies. He also underscored that Japan will remain vigilant for violations of its airspace. This watchfulness is a reaction to the growing threat of Chinese military operations.
These latest confrontations are not an anomaly, as Dangerous by Design has documented many times before. In 2014, Chinese Su-27 fighter jets even dove within a dangerous 30 meters (98 feet) of Japanese military aircraft. This incident served as another reminder of China’s continued barrage of aggressive, intimidatory and dangerous maneuvers across the region.
