China's Defense Ministry has accused Japanese jets of locking their weapons-targeting radar on its fighters over the East China Sea, an allegation denied Tuesday by a high-ranking Japanese official.
In a statement posted to the ministry's website late Monday, China rebuffed reports that emerged last week in Japanese media that a Chinese fighter had been close to firing on an Air Self-Defense Force jet that was scrambled over the East China Sea, home to the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. The islands are also claimed by China, where they are known as Diaoyu.
The Chinese ministry said two Su-30 fighter jets were approached on June 17 by two ASDF F-15 fighters at "high speed" and that the Japanese side had "even used fire-control radars to lock on" to the Chinese jets during what it termed as "a routine patrol" over the East China Sea air defense identification zone.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.