Two Chinese jet fighters came within tens of meters of two Japanese Self-Defense Forces planes on two separate occasions within about an hour over the East China Sea on May 24. This highly dangerous move on the part of China could cause an accident or even a military clash. It is imperative that China halt such provocative actions and act responsibly. Japan, for its part, needs to remain calm in such situations and take utmost care not to rise to the provocation. To reduce the chances of an unanticipated military clash, Tokyo and Beijing should develop a system to allow frequent and smooth communication.
According to the Defense Ministry, around 11 a.m. on May 24, two Chinese SU-27 fighters approached a Mariime Self-Defense Force OP-3C surveillance plane from behind and one fighter came as close as 50 meters. About an hour later, two SU-27 fighters similarly approached an Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft and one came within 30 meters. In both cases, the Chinese fighters were armed with missiles.
The incidents occurred in an area where Japan's air defense identification zone overlaps with an ADIZ that China declared last November. The two SDF aircraft were monitoring a joint naval drill being conducted by China and Russia near Japanese territorial waters, according to a government source quoted in a media report.