Tokyo: During the Quad Summit in Japan, planes of Russia and China jointly flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Japan has strongly objected to this joint operation of both the countries. The incident happened at a time when Tokyo was hosting leaders for the Quad group meeting. Tokyo has conveyed its serious concerns to both Russia and China through diplomatic contacts regarding this matter. Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi gave this information.
According to Reuters, Japan described the incident as a possible provocation by both Beijing and Moscow. When US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australia’s newly elected leader, Anthony Albanese were meeting in Tokyo. Japan’s Defense Minister Kishi said that, we believe that this action taken during the Quad Summit is more provocative than before. Because this is the fourth such incident since November.
Nobuo Kishi said that two Chinese warplanes took off over the Sea of Japan from the East China Sea and then together with two Russian warplanes flew towards the East China Sea.
In addition, Russian reconnaissance aircraft flew over the open sea from the northern island of Hokkaido to the Noto Peninsula on the main island of Japan. He said that no aircraft entered Japan’s airspace. Both Russia and China have confirmed that they conducted a joint patrol. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that patrolling lasted for 13 hours in the Japanese and East China Seas. China’s defense ministry said the exercise was part of the “annual military cooperation plan”.
At the same time, South Korea’s military has also said that it has driven out at least four Chinese and four Russian warplanes after entering its air defense area on Tuesday.