China criticizes Japanese intrusion in E. China Sea

China-Japan Relations

BEIJING - China on Thursday criticized Japan's intrusion into the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone(ADIZ), calling the move another example of Japan's repeated provocation.

"Japanese Self-Defense Forces jets' intrusion into the East China Sea ADIZ poses a threat to our air defense and security," Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a monthly press briefing.

Geng's comments came in response to Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera's remarks that Japan conducted regular warning and surveillance activities according to international law.

Two Japanese airplanes, OP3C and YS11EB, intruded into the East China Sea ADIZ on Saturday morning to scout and interfere with China-Russia naval drills, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Defense Ministry on Saturday.

Geng said China has evidence that Japanese warplanes disrupted Chinese military jets' normal flight routines, in response to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga's allegation that a recent encounter between Chinese and Japanese warplanes was a move that could easily lead to misjudgment.

"The Chinese pilot's behavior is professional and conforms with policy," Geng said.

"More than ten times since the China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) was established, Japanese military planes have approached Chinese warplanes on patrol missions, disrupting normal flying," he said.

"We have dealt with the dangerous Japanese close surveillance, and we have evidence," he said.

He disclosed that a Chinese fighter was closely tracked on Nov. 23, 2013 by two Japanese F-15 fighters for 34 minutes, with the narrowest distance of about ten meters.

China's policy related to the ADIZ conforms with international practice to deploy warplanes to recognize and verify foreign military jets which enter such zones, he said.

"Who is really making trouble in the air space?", Geng asked, saying that it is groundless for the Japanese side to put the blame on its victim rather than review its own mistakes. 

"Japan's move, like its decision to purchase the Diaoyu Islands in 2012, is very dangerous and provocative," Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, said on the sidelines of an international security seminar on Tuesday. In recent years, Japan has frequently made reconnaissance and surveillance forays by sea and air into Chinese territory.

Geng also criticized Japan for upping the tension. "What is behind Japan's moves? Japan should give the international community a clear explanation."