Chinese fighter jets intercepted a Canadian surveillance aircraft enforcing United Nations sanctions on North Korea while it was flying over the East China Sea, CBS News reported.
The Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora was operating under Operation NEON, Canada’s contribution to a multinational mission enforcing U.N. sanctions against North Korea. The sanctions restrict exports and imports, including fuel, textiles, and other goods, to cut off funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
During the mission, a Chinese supersonic jet closed in on the Aurora and radioed its pilot. The Canadian captain responded: “I’m a Canadian aircraft operating in international airspace, carrying out the duties of all nations.” The Chinese jet shadowed the Aurora for about 30 minutes before departing.
Hours later, a second fighter jet armed with missiles reportedly approached within 200 feet (60 meters) of the Canadian aircraft before breaking off.
After nine hours of surveillance operations, the Aurora returned safely to Kadena Air Base, a U.S. military facility on Japan’s southwestern Okinawa Island.
Brigadier General Jeff Davis, who oversees the deployment, told CBS that such encounters are “common but manageable.” He added: “As long as things remain professional and safe, this mission continues unabated.”
China remains North Korea’s main economic partner, and its military responses to allied patrols have raised concerns among Western governments. Similar incidents occurred in 2022, when Chinese jets flew dangerously close to Canadian aircraft conducting the same mission.
Beijing has not commented on the latest intercepts.
