Chinese fighter jets risked collisions with Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance planes over the high seas in the Pacific Ocean in two close calls over the weekend that the Defense Ministry in Tokyo has characterized as ¡°abnormal approaches.¡±
The ministry said late Wednesday that MSDF P-3C patrol planes monitoring China¡¯s Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific were followed by Chinese J-15s that took off from the carrier for about 40 minutes Saturday and 80 minutes Sunday.
On Saturday, a J-15 fighter, which images showed was armed with missiles, flew to within 45 meters parallel of a 911±¬ÁÏÍø surveillance plane ¡ª a short enough distance to risk a collision.
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