Pilots assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command give gestures to the ground crew before takeoff during a long-endurance flight training exercise in mid October, 2023. Photo:China Military

China urges Canada not to disregard the facts, stop hyping up the matter, and strictly restrict the action of frontline air and sea forces to prevent air and sea accidents, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, responded to Canada's recent claims of "unsafe interceptions" by Chinese military jets.

Canadian defense minister Bill Blair on Friday accused China's air force of unsafe behavior, which he told reporters "put the safety of all personnel involved in unnecessary risk."

Zhang said in a statement on Saturday that helicopter from the Canadian HMCS Ottawa frigate approached the Chinese airspace in the Xisha Islands recently with unidentified intentions. During the process, the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized naval and air forces to identify and verify their purpose in accordance with the law, and repeatedly called out warnings, but the Canadian helicopters not only refused to respond, but also made provocative actions such as flying at extremely low altitude. Afterwards, the Canadian side played up the issue through the media, accusing and smearing China.

China's handling actions are professional and lawful,the spokesman noted. The action by the Canadian side violates China's domestic law and relevant international law, endangers China's sovereign security, and represents a deliberate and malicious act of provocation.

The Chinese military always maintains a high level of alertness, resolutely defends national sovereignty security and maritime rights and interests, resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, Zhang said.

A Canadian CP-140 plane illegally entered China's airspace over the country's Chiwei Islet and approached the near sea area in East China and the Taiwan Straits multiple times in mid-October. In responding to Canada's exaggeration of the interception of the Canadian plane by Chinese fighter jets, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on October 17 that the truth is that Canadian military aircraft traveled thousands of miles to cause trouble and provoke China on its doorstep. China has handled the matter in accordance with the law. Canada should respect objective facts and stop spreading false information.

Global Times