BEIJING, Oct. 18 -- "The relevant hype of the Canadian side ignores the facts and is intended to confuse the international public," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian in a video statement released on Wednesday.
According to media reports, Canadian military officials said on October 16 that a reconnaissance plane of the Canadian Armed Forces was intercepted by Chinese military aircraft while carrying out a mission in international airspace near China, and the Canadian defense minister called China's behavior "dangerous and reckless".
In response, Senior Colonel Wu Qian said that, in recent days, a CP-140 aircraft of the Canadian Air Force repeatedly intruded into the airspace of China's Chiwei Yu , approached East China's coastal areas, and conducted close-in reconnaissance disturbances in the Taiwan Strait. In accordance with the Chinese laws and relevant international regulations, the Chinese PLA Air Force carried out control measures including verification, identification, tracking, monitoring, warning and expelling toward the aircraft. "These actions are completely reasonable, legal, professional and standardized," stressed the spokesperson.
He also pointed out that the Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. Canada's actions seriously violate China's sovereignty and threaten China's national security. It is extremely dangerous and highly likely to lead to misunderstanding and miscalculation. China strongly condemns such acts and has lodged solemn representations with the Canadian side.
"We urge the Canadian side to be cautious in its words and deeds, strictly control the actions of its front-line troops, immediately stop any provocative behavior, and earnestly avoid further escalation of the situation," stated the spokesperson.