Chinese Fighter Jets Startle Canadian Plane On UN Mission: 'Very Aggressive...Unsafe And Unprofessional'

A Canadian surveillance aircraft, participating in a UN mission, was intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet in an act that has been criticized by Canadian military officials.

As per a Bloomberg report, the incident occurred off the Chinese coast, where the Chinese jet flew within 5 meters (5.5 yards) of the Canadian plane and dropped flares in its flight path.

The episode was first reported by Global News, with journalists present on the Canadian aircraft.

"They became very aggressive and to a degree we would deem it unsafe and unprofessional," Maj. Gen. Iain Huddleston described the incident.

See Also: Kevin McCarthy In Disbelief Over Speaker Chaos Instigated By ‘4%…’

Huddleston emphasized that Canada did not wish for any mishap leading to loss of life. This incident underlines China’s irritation with Western military flights near its coasts, even though these operations occur in international airspace.

Previously, Chinese fighters have reportedly intercepted Canadian planes in the region, and even released aluminum fragments in front of Australian aircraft. This escalating pattern of mid-air confrontations has the potential to elevate tensions.

The Canadian aircraft involved in the recent incident was on a UN mission aimed at enforcing sanctions against North Korea to persuade the nation to cease its nuclear weapons program.

Read Next: Raskin Slams Greene, Trump Allies Over Speaker Nomination Critique

Photo by aappp on Shutterstock