TOKYO (Reuters) - Chinese fighter
jets flew within a few dozen meters of Japanese military planes over
the East China Sea, Japanese officials said on Sunday, prompting the
defense minister to accuse Beijing of going "over the top" in its
approach to disputed territory.
Chinese SU-27
fighters came as close as 50 meters (170 feet) to a Japanese OP-3C
surveillance plane near disputed islets on Saturday and within 30 meters
of YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft, the ministry said.
"Closing in while flying normally over the high seas is impossible,"
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters in comments broadcast
on TV Asahi.
"This is a close encounter that is outright over the top."
Onodera said Japan conveyed its concerns to the Chinese side through
diplomatic channels. He also said the Chinese planes were carrying
missiles.
A ministry official said it was the closest Chinese warplanes had come to aircraft of Japan's Self-defense force.
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