Canada has reportedly experienced approximately 60 unsafe or unprofessional interactions with Chinese fighter jets since December 2021, of which more than two dozen were considered dangerous.
Several of the unsafe interactions have taken place during Canada’s Operation Neon, which is an ongoing Canadian military operation that supports UN sanctions-enforcement activities against North Korea.
A Canadian CP-140 patrol aircraft is dangerously intercepted by Chinese aircraft.
Between 26 April and 26 May 2022, in international airspace near the Korean Peninsula.
Chinese military jets harassed a Canadian patrol aircraft on multiple occasions while it was conducting operations in support of UN sanctions against North Korea (Operation Neon). The Canadian aircraft was repeatedly ‘buzzed’ by Chinese jets at dangerously close distances.
Canada’s Department of Defense released a statement on the incident, which was followed by a statement from Canada’s Prime Minister.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry accused Canada of provocative actions and conducting close-in reconnaissance and provocations against China under the pretext of implementing the UNSC resolutions.
A Canadian CP-140 patrol aircraft is intercepted by Chinese aircraft in an unsafe and unprofessional manner.
16 October 2023, in international airspace in the East China Sea.
A Canadian surveillance plane conducting operations in support of UN sanctions against North Korea (Operation Neon) was intercepted by Chinese fighter jets in an unsafe and unprofessional manner. The Chinese jets came within about five metres of the Canadian plane. A Chinese jet also launched multiple flares near the Canadian aircraft. The incident happened while two TV news crews were aboard the aircraft.
A senior Canadian commander provided details on the aggressive intercepts to Radio Canada and Global News while aboard the aircraft. Images of the intercept were also provided. Canada’s Defense Minister subsequently made a statement describing China’s actions as dangerous and reckless.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry accused Canada of illegally intruding into Chinese airspace in the East China Sea, spreading disinformation and jeopardising China’s national sovereignty and security.
Canada’s Global News video of the incident can be watched here.
A Canadian military helicopter is intercepted by two Chinese fighter jets.
29 October 2023, in international waters outside of the Paracel Islands.
HMCS Ottawa’s embarked helicopter was conducting exercises in the South China Sea when it was unsafely intercepted by two Chinese fighter jets. One jet flew close to the Canadian helicopter, causing dangerous turbulence. A second launched flares directly in front of the helicopter.
Four days after the incident, Canada’s Department of Defense released a statement, which was followed up by a public statement from Canada’s Defense Minister.
In response, China accused Canada of malicious and provocative actions and of causing trouble on China’s doorstep.
