(Quebec) Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she is “extremely concerned” by recent maneuvers by Chinese aircraft that would have put Canadian crews at risk.
Posted at 2:25 p.m.
Updated at 6:04 p.m.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) said on Wednesday that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force did not meet international aviation safety standards.
The “interactions” between Chinese and Canadian aircraft near North Korea “are unprofessional and/or endanger the safety of our personnel,” the CAF reported.
“In some cases, the crew […] felt sufficiently at risk that he had to quickly alter his own flight path in order to increase separation and avoid a collision,” it was argued.
Thursday, while she was at the Citadelle of Quebec to meet her counterparts from the Baltic countries, Ms.me Joly called the incidents a “significant gesture.”
I am extremely concerned that there have been incidents in this region of the world. […] Of course, this is a question that I will raise.
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Does she consider them acts of aggression against Canada? “I think it’s a gesture that is significant, so, therefore, it needs to be lifted,” she repeated.
The events would have occurred “several times” between April 26 and May 26. Such “interactions” are “increasingly frequent”, according to the Armed Forces.
From Ottawa, Conservative MP Michael Chong took offense at the “lack of professionalism” of the Chinese military, and demanded that he be made aware that his actions are “unacceptable, dangerous”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said he was “very concerned” about the situation. He assured that his government would “definitely have follow-ups with our Chinese counterparts”.
Canada has a military presence in the North Pacific to support the implementation of UN Security Council sanctions imposed on North Korea.
Besides the Chinese issue, Mr.me Joly returned on Thursday to her discussions with the ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Canada currently has approximately 1,300 military personnel in Latvia; 3,400 more soldiers are “in reserve” and can be deployed if needed.
Mme Joly reiterated that Canada would work with its allies, in particular to prevent an energy and food crisis, which would affect several million people around the world.
“The idea, of course, is to continue to ensure the security of Latvia, but also of the Baltic countries. Not only is it important for Europe, but it is important for […] transatlantic security. »