European navies have stepped up their presence in the South China Sea, and that has led to increased interactions with China’s military. Japan has also had recent unsafe incidents with China as Beijing increasingly projects power beyond the first Island chain.
A Dutch warship and helicopter are harassed by Chinese fighter jets.
7 June 2024, in international waters of the East China Sea.
A Dutch Navy vessel was conducting operations in support of UN sanctions against North Korea when two Chinese fighters circled the Dutch ship several times. The ship’s helicopter was then approached by the two Chinese fighter jets, creating a potentially unsafe situation.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence released a statement on the day of the incident.
In response, China’s Ministry of National Defence reportedly told the Netherlands to strictly control its naval forces, warning that it will use firm countermeasures against any further infringements and provocations. The ministry also complained that the Dutch had created an unsafe situation while conducting infringements and provocations in waters off the coast of Shanghai.
Chinese fighter jets carry out risky manoeuvres around Japanese patrol planes.
7-8 June 2025, over international waters over the Western Pacific.
The 7 June incident occurred southeast of Miyako Island, Okinawa and the 8 June incident occurred north of Okinotori Island, within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Across 7 and 8 June, Chinese J‑15 fighter jets, operating from China’s Shandong aircraft carrier, repeatedly shadowed Japanese P‑3C maritime patrol aircraft over the Pacific. On June 7, a Chinese J‑15 fighter approached within 45 meters of a Japanese P‑3C patrol aircraft. On June 8, a Chinese fighter followed a Japanese P‑3C for around 80 minutes, executing a manoeuvre crossing in front of the P‑3C at a distance of about 900 meters.
Japan’s Defense Ministry released images and a statement on 11 June, describing China’s manoeuvres as “abnormal approaches” that posed a risk of accidental collision. The Japanese government reportedly lodged a formal protest with China and demanded an end to such flights.
In response, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry accused Japan of conducting close-range reconnaissance and warned that it should "cease such dangerous behavior."
