China says response to Japanese planes' actions reasonable, professional

The response of Chinese military aircraft to the Japanese planes repeatedly conducting close reconnaissance in the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone was entirely reasonable and professional, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Sunday morning.

In a statement, Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin noted that recently, Japan Air Self-Defense Force's reconnaissance planes entered China's ADIZ in the East China Sea for close-in reconnaissance multiple times.

"Chinese aircraft responded by verifying, identifying, following, and monitoring them according to the law," he said, highlighting that those actions were "fully justified, reasonable, professional and standardized".

Jiang emphasized that the Japanese aircraft's close-in reconnaissance and interference were the root causes of Sino-Japanese air and sea safety risks.

The spokesman expressed hope that the Japanese side will work with the Chinese side to create a proper atmosphere for the stable development of bilateral relations.