Canada on Friday criticized the recent “very dangerous” interception of one of its planes by Chinese warplanes during a flight over international waters, at a time when relations between Ottawa and Beijing remain very tense.
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A Canadian helicopter was intercepted twice Sunday by Chinese warplanes, one of which “fired flares directly in front of the helicopter,” Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said Friday during a news conference.
These interceptions, which required special maneuvering by the pilot to evade the missiles, “took place in the Paracel Islands” in the South China Sea, “far from the claimed territorial seas.”
“The maneuvers of the People’s Republic of China fighter aircraft 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 “Indo-Pacific Strategy,” was conducting “routine exercises,” according to a press release.
Minister Blair said the flights were to “maintain freedom of navigation” in “international waters” in that region off the Chinese coast.
This is Canada’s second air interception by Chinese aircraft in less than three weeks. In mid-October, a Canadian surveillance plane was intercepted mid-flight by a Chinese jet.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which is a key hub of sea routes through which billions of dollars in trade flows each year.
Sino-Canadian relations have been difficult since Canada arrested the finance director 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 at the time as retaliation by Beijing.
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 its public affairs.