Japan protests Chinese fighter jet's 'abnormal approaches'
June 12 (UPI) -- Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday a Chinese J-15 fighter jet's "abnormal approaches" brought it within 147 feet of Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance planes over the past weekend.
There were two close calls that came within a short enough distance to risk collision and the delay in publicly announcing them was to analyze what happened.
"The government has raised serious concerns with the Chinese side, including to the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo, through the vice minister of foreign affairs, and has strongly urged them to prevent such incidents from recurring," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a Thursday news conference.
The Chinese warplane came from the aircraft carrier Shandong.
It passed in front of an MSDF P-3C jet within a distance of about 984 yards.
The Japanese defense ministry also said it confirmed for the first time that China had two carriers operating at the same time in the Pacific Ocean.
The Shandong did drills with takeoffs and landings of fighters and helicopters off the southern prefecture of Okinawa Saturday.
The Liaoning was spotted about 186 miles southwest of the island of Miniamitori Saturday. That carrier was also seen beyond the "second island chain" from Japan's Izu Islands to Guam, which China considers its defense line.
Japan's government called on China to end the flights because " these abnormal approaches by a Chinese military plane may cause an accidental collision."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
16 minutes ago
- Newsweek
China Reacts to Israel's Attack on Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China said it is "deeply worried" by Israel's strikes on Iran and said it is willing to play a role in de-escalating the situation. Israel hit Iranian military and nuclear sites and killed a number of senior officials, including the commander-in-chief of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami. It said the operation is ongoing and could last days. Israel said the strikes were pre-emptive and to prevent a planned Iranian attack, and also to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb. "China is highly concerned about Israel's attacks on Iran and deeply worried about the potential serious consequences of these actions," said Lin Jian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, state media reported. Lin said China "opposes any violation of Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes actions that escalate tensions and expand the conflict." "The renewed sharp escalation of the regional situation is not in the interest of any party," he continued. "China urges all relevant parties to do more to promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions. China is willing to play a constructive role in helping to de-escalate the situation." This is a developing article. Updates to follow.
Hamilton Spectator
18 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Hong Kong rights group shuts down after years of advocating for workers
HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong group that advocated for workers rights for decades announced its shutdown abruptly on Thursday, citing financial difficulties and debt issues. China Labor Bulletin planned to stop updating its website content and appeared to have deleted Facebook and Instagram social media accounts used by the nonprofit rights organization. 'The company can no longer maintain operations and has decided to dissolve and initiate the relevant procedures,' it said in a statement on an archived web page Friday. Founded in 1994, organization maintained a database tracking workers' strikes, protests, workplace accidents and other labor rights incidents in China . As dozens of civil society groups disbanded or left Hong Kong in the wake of the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law , China Labor Bulletin continued providing valuable resources for journalists and academics in the southern Chinese city. Critics say the drastic political changes in Hong Kong indicated the decline of Western-style civil liberties that China promised to keep intact when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. However, Beijing and Hong Kong governments insisted the law was crucial to bring stability to the city following massive anti-government protests in 2019. China Labor Bulletin's founder Han Dongfang, a former railway worker who participated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. He told the Central News Agency of Taiwan that the shutdown was his decision and he would stay in Hong Kong. Han's decision appeared sudden to many Hong Kong civil society observers. Three weeks ago, he wrote on social media platform LinkedIn about his work anniversary and his team's progress. 'Let's keep our faith up at this abnormal time and continue our important work,' he said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Iran strikes: Israel downs scores of drones as escalation fears mount
June 13 (UPI) -- Israel said Friday morning its air defenses had successfully repelled an Iranian airborne assault in retaliation for overnight Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear development program. Israel Defense Forces said Iran had launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, prompting the Home Front Command to order the public to remain close to air-raid shelters, but the warnings were later scaled back after Air Force interceptor fighter jets and anti-missile systems downed or disabled the majority. The IDF said it was unable to confirm the threat had been completely eliminated as more UAVs could have been launched since and en route toward Israel, but that sufficient numbers had been downed to allow the Home Front Command to temporarily ease the emergency measures. Schools, government offices and most offices were shut for the weekend, but Israeli airspace was closed and all flights grounded until further notice, with flights already en route diverted. Jordan and Iraq also closed their airspace. However, there were fears the missiles could follow and that the drones were just the beginning of a much more significant retaliation in line with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning Israel "should anticipate a severe punishment" in response to its deadly strikes overnight. The Jerusalem Post reported that airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force targeting Iran's radar systems and air defenses were still ongoing late Friday morning. "This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement posted on X. He said the "Operation Rising Lion" he had ordered was a "targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival" from Iran's advancing nuclear program, which he said was close to being able to manufacture a nuclear bomb unless it was stopped. The Iranian foreign ministry vowed Friday to hit back saying the Israeli strikes on Iran were "a blatant act of aggression in violation of the U.N. Charter. "In accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, Iran reserves the legitimate and legal right to respond to this aggression. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend Iran's sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate," the ministry said in a statement. It also threatened the United States, alleging the attacks could not have taken place without its backing and that as Israel's "primary patron," the U.S. government would "also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of the Zionist regime's reckless actions." Internationally, leaders have appealed for calm. U.S. President Trump, who confirmed he was notified of the strikes in advance but that the United States was not involved, said he hoped that U.S.-Iran negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program could continue. "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership in Iran that will not be coming back," Trump told Fox News. The independent London-based Iran International news outlet reported on X that Aladdin Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, saying a sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman scheduled for Sunday would now not go ahead. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed "deep alarm" and called for restraint, de-escalation and for military forces on all sides to stand down. "A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region's stability and global security,' she wrote on social media. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking in Stockholm, told reporters it was critical that Israel's allies stepped in to de-escalate the crisis. "I think that is now the first order of the day," he said. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi told the U.N nuclear watchdog's board which is meeting in Vienna, that nuclear facilities must never be attacked under any circumstances due to the risk to people and the environment. "Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security," Grossi warned, noting that the IAEA has repeatedly stated that military strikes on nuclear facilities could result in radioactive releases that would not be contained within international borders. "I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond," he said.
