Overview

• On July 9, a PLAN JH-7 fighter-bomber closed to within tens of meters of a JASDF YS-11EB electronic reconnaissance aircraft over international waters in the East China Sea.
• Japanese officials report no damage or injuries despite the jets converging at similar altitudes and alarming proximity.
• This follows June 7–8 intercepts by PLA Navy J-15 jets that approached within roughly 45 meters of a JMSDF P-3C patrol plane shadowing the carrier Shandong.
• The Japanese Ministry of Defense is conducting a detailed review of positional and flight-path data from the latest incident.
• Tokyo lodged a formal protest with Beijing, warning that such maneuvers risk accidental collisions and demanding steps to avert repeats.