(Ottawa) Canada criticized Friday the most recent “very dangerous” interception of one of its aircraft by Chinese fighter jets during a flight over international waters, at a time when relations between Ottawa and Beijing remain very tense.
A Canadian helicopter was intercepted twice on Sunday by Chinese fighters, one of which “launched flares directly in front of the helicopter,” Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair said Friday during a press conference.
These interceptions, requiring a special maneuver by the pilot to avoid the rockets, “took place in the Paracel Islands”, in the South China Sea, “well away from the claimed territorial seas”.
“The maneuvers of the People’s Republic of China fighter jet were considered very dangerous and we will express our concerns to China,” the minister added.
“Indo-Pacific Strategy”
The Canadian helicopter, deployed by national defense as part of the “Indo-Pacific strategy”, was carrying out “routine exercises”, according to a press release.
Minister Blair said the flights served to “maintain freedom of navigation” in “international waters” in this region off the coast of China.
This is Canada’s second aerial interception by Chinese planes in less than three weeks. In mid-October, a Canadian surveillance plane was intercepted in mid-flight by a Chinese jet.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which is a major crossroads of maritime routes through which billions of dollars in trade pass each year.
Difficult relationships
Sino-Canadian relations have been difficult since Canada arrested the financial director of telecoms giant Huawei, at the request of the United States, five years ago.
A few days later, two Canadians were arrested in China, a measure then widely seen as retaliation on the part of Beijing.
Although these three people have since been released, tensions continue between the two countries, with Beijing criticizing Ottawa for its alignment with Washington’s Chinese policy and Canadian authorities suspecting China of interfering in its public affairs.