Canada Calls Out China for Unsafe Aircraft Intercepts in South China Sea for Second Time in Two Weeks

Chinese fighter jets instigate "significantly unsafe" encounters with Canadian aircraft in South China Sea during "freedom of navigation" operations, firing flares in close proximity to helicopter; Beijing accuses Canada of violating its airspace.

• During two 'significantly unsafe' encounters in two weeks, Chinese fighter jets intercepted Canadian aircraft patrolling the Pacific, the latest incident happened on October 29 near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. In this instance, a jet flew close twice to a Canadian Cyclone helicopter and fired flares 'directly in front' on the second flyby.
• The Canadian helicopter along with HMCS Ottawa were in the South China Sea for 'freedom of navigation' operations intended to reinforce its status as an international waterway. China accused Canada of infrallying its invasion in response to these operations.
• In the first incident, which occurred in mid-October, a Chinese jet posed a threat by coming within five meters of a Canadian surveillance plane participating in a UN operation to enforce sanctions against North Korea.
• The Pentagon has previously warned about China's increasingly dangerous behaviour in the South China Sea, citing examples of 'unnecessarily aggressive' maneuvers by Chinese fighter jets in international airspace. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which has led to disputes with regional and international powers.
• The Canadian helicopter was specifically searching for a submarine at the time of the incidents. China's assertiveness towards not only fixed-wing aircraft but also helicopters is noted as relatively rare but equally perilous, risking the safety of all personnel involved.

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