A Canadian helicopter was intercepted twice on Sunday by Chinese fighter jets, one of which “fired flares directly in front of the helicopter,” Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced at a news conference today.
These interceptions, which required special maneuvering by the pilot to avoid the missiles, “occurred in the Paracel Islands” in the South China Sea, “some distance from the claimed territorial seas.”
“The maneuvers of the People’s Republic of China fighter jets were considered very dangerous and we will express our concern to China,” the minister added.
The Canadian helicopter, used by national defense as part of the “IndoPacific Strategy,” was conducting “routine exercises,” according to a statement.
Blair explained that the flights were intended to “maintain freedom of navigation” in “international waters” in that region off the Chinese coast.
This is the second aerial intercept of Canada by Chinese aircraft in less than three weeks, after a Canadian surveillance plane was intercepted midflight by a Chinese fighter jet in midOctober.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which is a key hub of sea routes through which billions of euros in trade flow annually.
Relations between the two countries have been difficult since Canada arrested the chief financial officer of telecommunications giant Huawei five years ago at the request of the United States.
A few days later, two Canadians were arrested in China, a move widely seen as retaliation by Beijing at the time.
Although these three people have now been released, tensions between the two countries remain. Beijing criticizes Ottawa for aligning with Washington’s China policy, and Canadian authorities suspect China of interfering in their public affairs.
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