Chinese Military Aircraft Approaches Japan's P-3C, Disturbing Incident at 45 Meters
According to a report by NHK on the 12th, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's P-3C anti-submarine aircraft was recently tailgated by a carrier-based fighter jet from China's 'Shandong' aircraft carrier while monitoring its activities. At one point, the distance was merely 45 meters. The Japanese Foreign Ministry has expressed 'serious concern' through diplomatic channels and requested China to exercise restraint to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
The report indicates that the Ministry of Defense has been continuously dispatching ships and aircraft to monitor the activities of the 'Shandong' in the southeastern sea area of Japan. On the morning of the 7th, the P-3C on its surveillance mission was followed for about 40 minutes by a J-15 fighter jet that took off from the 'Shandong,' and on the afternoon of the 8th, the same type of aircraft followed the P-3C for about 80 minutes, even crossing its flight path, thereby increasing the collision risk.
Although no damage was inflicted on the Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft or personnel, this provocative behavior has raised serious concerns in Japan. The report states that this marks China's return to dangerous flying maneuvers against Japan's Self-Defense Forces' aircraft since 2014. The Ministry of Defense only released this information days after thoroughly collecting evidence and analyzing the statements of the Self-Defense Force pilots.
Furthermore, the actions of the Chinese military aircraft are suspected to have deliberately utilized jet engine exhaust turbulence to interfere with the flight of the P-3C, highlighting its coercive intentions. As this is the first time China has simultaneously deployed two aircraft carriers in the western Pacific, coupled with the 'Shandong' navigating about 550 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island on the 9th, Japan plans to closely monitor the situation and take concrete countermeasures. The Defense Ministry also intends to deploy surveillance radar on Minami-Torishima to keep track of Chinese military aircraft movements.
