During the course of last week, two new incidents were reported involving Chinese JH-7 fighter-bombers executing dangerous interception maneuvers against a YS-11EB electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The incidents prompted a swift protest from Tokyo, directed at the Chinese ambassador in the country. These events follow similar interceptions that took place in June over the Pacific, involving Chinese Navy J-15 fighters targeting a Japanese P-3C Orion aircraft.
Delving into the details of Japan’s complaint, it is important to highlight that the two maneuvers reportedly occurred on Wednesday and Thursday morning, while the YS-11EB was conducting surveillance flights over international waters in the East China Sea. In the first incident, the JH-7 fighter-bomber approached unusually close—approximately 30 meters horizontally and 60 meters vertically—while the second incident reportedly saw the inverse distance configuration.
As part of the official statement released on Thursday, Japan’s Ministry of Defense stated: “These unusual approaches by Chinese military aircraft could result in an accidental collision. We express our serious concern and strongly request that such actions not be repeated.” The statement was accompanied by photographs of the Chinese aircraft, supporting the reports made by the Japanese YS-11EB crew. The YS-11EB has been in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force since the 1960s, with the service currently operating around three units.
Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged the corresponding diplomatic protest through Vice Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, who met with Ambassador Wu Jianghao to express concern over both incidents and formally request that such actions not recur. No official response was issued from Beijing, although based on previous statements, China maintains that such incidents are the result of Japan’s operations near Chinese military activities.
In response to this stance, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani stated: “Self-Defense Force aircraft will not approach within 45 meters of other aircraft over international waters. We cannot accept the Chinese side’s claims suggesting Japan is to blame for this incident, and we have conveyed Japan’s position accordingly.”
Cover image: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
