A Canadian military aircraft was intercepted by Chinese warplanes in the Yellow Sea on Monday while conducting “unusual, aggressive and dangerous” maneuvers.
Radio-Canada’s correspondent in Asia, Philippe Leblanc, who was aboard that plane, reports that the planes were so close that it appeared their wings were touching those of the Canadian plane. They were less than 10 meters away in midair.
The Chinese fighters were armed with clearly visible air-to-air missiles. Both pilots had the Canadians in their sights.
“We also saw these Chinese fighter jets firing warning lights,” says Philippe Leblanc. We saw the yellow trail of smoke coming out of these rockets.
Then the journalist took out his cell phone and began filming this unusual scene.
The Canadian military aircraft was taking part in a UN mission in the Yellow Sea when it was intercepted by Chinese warplanes.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Philippe Leblanc
Also on board the Canadian aircraft was Major General Iain Huddleston, commander of the 1st Canadian Air Division.
Open in full screen mode
Major General Iain Huddleston, commander of the 1st Canadian Air Division
Photo: Radio-Canada
He said the Chinese fighters’ maneuvers were unusual. He also described these operations as “aggressive” and “dangerous.”
We are clearly in international airspace. It’s obvious that the Chinese think we’re doing something wrong. But we don’t really know what it is.
Canadian soldiers conducted a routine operation in the Yellow Sea. They were part of a UN force enforcing the UN embargo against sending goods to North Korea.