On Monday, October 16th, a Canadian maritime patrol aircraft reportedly experienced a close encounter with Chinese fighter jets in international waters. The incident, described by Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair as “dangerous and reckless”, has brought renewed attention to the growing tensions in the region.
According to a report from French media on October 17th, crew members from the Global News television aboard the Canadian aircraft stated that Chinese aircraft shadowed the Canadian Aurora patrol plane for several hours, with one Chinese jet coming within less than five meters at one point.
Speaking in Ottawa, Blair labeled the actions of the Chinese Air Force as “unprofessional” and conveyed his concerns to Beijing. However, the Chinese authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Canada has recently increased its dispatch of CP-140 anti-submarine patrol planes to the Kadena Base in Okinawa, Ryukyu. While Canada asserts that these flights are in line with UN missions on the Korean Peninsula, their frequent appearances in China’s East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone have garnered attention. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has so far carried out over 60 intercepts of these aircraft, with 20 described by Canada as “highly dangerous.”
It’s worth noting that the Canadian CP-140 is an iteration of the US P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft, echoing memories of the 2001 incident where a US EP-3E reconnaissance plane collided with a Chinese Navy J-8D fighter in the South China Sea, leading to the tragic loss of Chinese pilot Wang Wei.
While Canada claims its activities align with UN-backed initiatives, China’s heightened alertness suggests they view these patrols with caution. The recent near encounters between the PLA jets and Canadian aircraft underscore the delicacy of the situation and highlight the importance of open communication between involved parties to ensure safety and reduce potential misunderstandings.