Japan's 'dangerous' interference with drills violates intl law  

中日战机“异常接近”？ 国防部促日方停止侦察干扰

针对日媒报道的中国军队飞机在东海“异常接近”日自卫队飞机事，国防部新闻事务局5月25日表示，5月24日上午，日本自卫队OP3C和YS11EB飞机各一架，闯入中国东海防空识别区，对中俄海上联合演习实施侦察干扰。中国军队飞机紧急升空并采取了必要的识别、防范措施，以维护参演舰机安全，确保演习顺利进行。 [查看全文]

Japanese military planes have intruded on the airspace of China-Russia naval exercises and carried out dangerous actions, seriously violating international laws, China's Ministry of National Defense said Sunday.

Two Japanese airplanes, OP3C and YS11EB, intruded into the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone on Saturday morning to scout and interfere with the China-Russia naval drills.

Chinese warplanes took off instantly to take necessary identification and preventive measures to ensure the safety of the warships and aircraft in the drills, said the ministry.

Japan's actions could have easily caused a misunderstanding and even led to a mid-air incident, a ministry statement said, in response to Japanese media reports that Chinese military airplanes had been "unusually close" to the jets of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

The exercises in the designated waters and airspace was a routine drill held by China and Russia. "No fly" and "no sail" notices in relevant waters and airspace had been issued ahead of the exercises according to international practice, the ministry said.

Chinese warplanes have the right to safeguard China's air safety and take necessary identification and preventive measures in case foreign jets enter the identification zone, it said.

China has demanded Japan to respect the legitimate rights of Chinese and Russian navies, restrain the personnel concerned and stop all reconnaissance and interference activities. "Otherwise, Japan shall be responsible for all the consequences," the statement said.