Japan urges China to prevent recurrence after midair near miss
KYODO NEWS - 6 minutes ago - 13:16 | World, Japan, All
Japan said Thursday it has strongly urged China to prevent a recurrence after a Chinese military aircraft and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane were involved in a near miss over international waters in the Pacific.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan has conveyed its "serious concern" to China over the incident that could have led to a collision, adding it will continue to maintain communication at various levels.
A Chinese J-15 warplane from the aircraft carrier Shandong flew as close as 45 meters to the MSDF P-3C patrol plane at the same altitude on Saturday.
The Chinese fighter jet also passed in front of the MSDF P-3C at the same altitude on Sunday at a distance of around 900 meters, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.
"We decline to comment on what China intended (by the maneuvers), but these peculiar approaches by the Chinese military aircraft could have caused a collision," Hayashi said.
Japan's stance was conveyed to China through diplomatic and defense channels, including by Takehiro Funakoshi, vice foreign minister, to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, according to the Japanese government spokesman.
"We will do our utmost in conducting warning and surveillance activities in relevant areas to defend our territory, waters and skies," Hayashi said.
Japan has been on the alert for increased Chinese military activity, including the first confirmed simultaneous operation of China's two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, in the Pacific.
Related coverage:
China fighter jet has near miss with SDF patrol plane: Japan gov't
Japan sees 1st simultaneous operations by China carriers in Pacific
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