Japan says Chinese fighter operated close to intel aircraft

A Chinese Xi'an JH-7 supersonic, twin-seat combat aircraft flies close to a Japanese YS-11EB surveillance aircraft in July 2025. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

Just a few weeks after Tokyo complained about a Chinese combat aircraft having flown abnormally close to a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific, the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has said that similar incidents transpired again on 9 and 10 July.

This time the incidents involved a Chinese Xi'an JH-7 twin-seat, supersonic combat aircraft and a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft operating over the East China Sea. According to the ministry, the JH-7 flew as close as 30 m to the YS-11EB for several minutes on two separate days.

The incidents occurred while the YS-11EB was operating over the East China Sea, the MoD added.

First, on 9 July, a JH-7 flew close to the JASDF YS-11EB for about 15 minutes, from 1050 to 1105 h local time, according to the MoD. On 10 July, the JH-7 operated close to the YS-11EB for about 10 minutes, from 1000 to 1010 h local time. The language of the MoD's statement indicates that the same JH-7 was involved in both incidents.

While no damage was reported to the JASDF aircraft or its personnel, the MoD said that “such a peculiar approach by a Chinese military aircraft could have triggered an accidental collision”.

The incident prompted the MoD to express concern. The ministry added that it has “strictly requested” the Chinese government to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

The Chinese government did not comment on the matter at the time of publication. However, in the past, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) has justified the actions of its pilots and flight personnel.