China has firmly defended its military's actions in the East China Sea after Japan accused Chinese aircraft of flying 'abnormally close' to its planes. Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin stated Sunday that Japan's surveillance activities in China's air defense identification zone prompted a 'legitimate and professional' response.
Jiang emphasized that a Japan Air Self-Defense Force intelligence aircraft had conducted repeated close-range surveillance missions in contested airspace. 'Chinese forces lawfully implemented identification, tracking, and monitoring measures to safeguard national security,' he told reporters, describing the operations as 'reasonable and standardized.'
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in the East China Sea, where both nations claim overlapping air defense zones. Jiang identified Japanese military reconnaissance as a key source of regional security risks, urging Tokyo to 'work with China to create favorable conditions for stable bilateral relations.'
Analysts note the incident underscores the delicate balance in Asia-Pacific security dynamics, with military encounters between the two neighbors occurring amid broader discussions about regional economic cooperation and maritime resource management.
