China criticizes Japan over warplane scramble. CRJ

China criticizes Japan over warplane scramble

   2016-07-05 07:31:55    CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: Guan Chao

A file photo shows China’s Su-30 fighter jet. [Photo: mod.gov.cn] China has strongly criticized Japan over a scramble of military aircraft from the two countries over the East China Sea. The Defense Ministry has issued a statement, accusing two Japanese fighter jets of taking "provocative actions" at a high speed near a pair of Chinese fighter jets that were carrying out patrols in the East China Sea on June 17. But it didn't specify where exactly the planes met each other. The statement said the Japanese planes used fire-control radar to "light up" the Chinese aircraft. The ministry accuses Japan of endangering the safety of personnel on both sides, and destroying the peace and stability in the region. It called on Japan to cease all provocative action. Japan's authorities have acknowledged the scramble, but denied that any radar lock occurred or that the incident turned dangerous. The two sides have been at odds with each other over the ownership of a group of islands in the East China Sea, which is known as the Diaoyu islands in Beijing and the Senkakus in Tokyo.