China accuses Canada of provocative actions in South China Sea after tense midair encounters
China accuses Canada of reckless and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea following dangerous close encounters between Chinese fighter jets and a Canadian Navy helicopter in international waters
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China has denounced Canada's actions in the South China Sea as both "malicious and provocative." This statement comes in response to the Canadian Navy's claim that Chinese fighter jets posed a threat to a helicopter in two separate incidents that occurred within international waters.
Following CNN's revelation last week that a Chinese warplane fired flares in front of a Canadian military helicopter on October 29, Canadian military officers expressed concern over the reckless nature of the operation, as it posed a potential threat to the aircraft's safety.
During the aforementioned incident, which occurred on the same day, the Canadian chopper encountered Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy J-11 fighters in two separate "unsafe" encounters. These encounters involved the fighters getting as close as 100 feet (30 meters) to the helicopter, as reported by Maj. Rob Millen, air officer aboard the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa, during an interview with CNN on the warship.
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair held a press briefing on Friday to provide an update on the incidents. He stated that the actions of the Chinese jets were considered highly unsafe and posed an avoidable risk to the safety of all personnel involved. Canada confirmed that both incidents occurred in the South China Sea, within international waters.
China's Defense Ministry retaliated on Saturday, rebuking Canada for breaching both Chinese and international laws, endangering China's sovereignty and security, and engaging in a "hostile and calculated aggression with hidden agendas."
According to Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, Canada's HMCS Ottawa frigate dispatched two helicopter missions into China's airspace near the Xisha Islands. Zhang described these actions as having uncertain motives and targeting the disputed archipelago, which is claimed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan and is commonly referred to as the Paracel Islands.
According to a statement by Zhang posted on the ministry's website, the Chinese People's Liberation Army arranged naval and air forces to carry out lawful identification and verification procedures, while issuing numerous warnings. However, the Canadian helicopter not only failed to reply, but also engaged in provocative behavior such as flying at extremely low heights.
Zhang further emphasized the need for the Canadian side to acknowledge the truth, refrain from overemphasizing and sensationalizing the incident, and enforce strict regulations on the actions of their frontline naval and air forces to prevent any maritime or aerial accidents.
The HMCS Ottawa has been making its way through the South China Sea
Royal Canadian Navy/Canadian Armed Forces
Exclusive: Chinese jet fired flares close to submarine-hunting helicopter in South China Sea, Canadian Navy says
Canadian air commander, Millen, informed CNN that on October 29, he had been flying the helicopter when it was intercepted by Chinese J-11s. The helicopter was flying straight and level at an altitude of 3,000 feet above the water, signaling to the Chinese that it posed no threat. In order to terminate the "unsafe" encounter with the Chinese jets, Millen had to descend to an altitude of 200 feet, which is considered uncomfortable for fast air fighter jets.
The Chinese fighters flew so close in circles that they caused turbulence for the helicopter, posing a risk to its safety, according to Millen.
China asserts its historic jurisdiction over nearly the entire South China Sea, a valuable international shipping route abundant with resources. Starting from 2014, Beijing has transformed small reefs and sandbars into fortified artificial islands equipped with missiles, runways, and weaponry systems, triggering objections from other claimants.
China was found to have no legal grounds for its claim to the majority of the South China Sea by an international tribunal in The Hague in 2016. Despite this ruling, China has chosen to disregard it and continues to assert its dominance over the region. As a response, Western powers regularly carry out naval passages through the sea, emphasizing its status as an international waterway.
Canada has recently accused China of engaging in another dangerous midair intercept, marking the second incident of its kind in the past month.
A Chinese fighter jet dangerously approached a Canadian CP-140 reconnaissance and surveillance plane over the East China Sea in mid-October. The incident was captured by news crews on board the Canadian aircraft and observed by Maj. Gen. Iain Huddleston, the commander of Canadas 1st Air Division, who was also present on the plane.
Huddleston criticized the intercept as "unprofessional" and "highly aggressive," according to a report from Radio Canada, which was on board the plane.
In a statement, Canada's Defense Ministry stated that the Canadian aircraft faced several close-proximity maneuvers from a PLAAF aircraft, endangering the safety of all personnel.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that the Canadian aircraft breached Chinese airspace without authorization and alleged that the Canadian military had deployed "warplanes to a distant location in a deliberate attempt to agitate and provoke near China's borders."
