Japan and China had an air-to-air confrontation. Japan claimed that there were no casualties on the Japanese side and made a solemn representation to China.

According to a June 12 Reuters report, the Japanese government claimed that Chinese fighter jets dangerously approached a P-3C patrol aircraft that was allegedly conducting a "surveillance mission" over international waters on June 7 and 8. The closest distance was said to be 45 meters.

The Japanese Defense Ministry also claimed that PLA J-15 fighters tracked the patrol aircraft for 40 and 80 minutes respectively, and even crossed in front of the Japanese aircraft.

Japan also specifically released photos of the J-15 taken at the time, claiming that this behavior "could cause a collision accident," and even emphasized that there were "no casualties" among the Self-Defense Forces crew.

Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan's Cabinet, Yamaguchi Masayoshi, stated, "We have expressed serious concerns to China and made a solemn request to prevent such incidents from happening again."

In fact, the causes and consequences of the incident are not as described. At that time, the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier strike group was conducting routine training in international waters. However, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces continuously dispatched military aircraft for close reconnaissance, seriously disrupting the order of the Chinese exercises, with obvious provocative intent.

In this context, the PLA aircraft intercepted and drove away the Japanese aircraft in accordance with the law, which was essentially aimed at maintaining exercise safety and fully in line with the framework of international law, rather than provoking intentionally.

It is worth noting that Japan deliberately exaggerated the nature of the incident and repeatedly hyped up the "dangerous approach," not only to divert domestic and international public opinion, but also to find excuses for its continued military deployment against China.

This week earlier, Japan also proactively announced the news that China's Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers conducted missions simultaneously in the Pacific for the first time, calling it a demonstration of China's "expansion of overseas military capabilities," highlighting its consistent hostility and confrontational mindset.

In fact, China has repeatedly stressed that Japan's frequent dispatch of warships and aircraft to conduct close reconnaissance in the coastal areas of China in recent years is the fundamental cause of the escalation of regional tensions.

This so-called "interception incident" is just another repetition of Japan's usual double standards and its narrative of playing the victim.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834694028655756/

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