UPDATE - Japan, China make conflicting claims about fighter jet engagements

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM CHINA, ADDS SECOND DECK; CHANGES TO LEDE, HEADLINE, DECK

By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japan and China on Sunday made conflicting claims regarding recent fighter jet engagements between the two militaries amid ongoing tensions over Taiwan.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy spokesperson Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng said its Liaoning aircraft carrier formation conducted regular fighter jet flight training east of the Miyako Strait.

According to the Global Times, he said that during the training, Japanese military aircraft “repeatedly approached the PLA Navy’s training sea and airspace and made harassment, seriously interfering with China’s normal training activities and posing a severe threat to flight safety.”

“We firmly demand that Japan immediately cease its slander and smearing, and strictly restrain its frontline operations. The PLA Navy will take necessary measures in accordance with the law to resolutely safeguard its own security and legitimate rights and interests,” Wang added.

Earlier on Sunday, Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of directing their fire-control radar at Japanese F-15 aircraft in two separate incidents over international waters.

The incidents occurred over waters southeast of Japan's Okinawa island on Saturday, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in a statement on the US social media company X.

He said the J-15 aircraft that took off from the Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, locked on two Japanese military aircraft "intermittently" in the separate engagements.

Koizumi called the act "dangerous," and said that Tokyo lodged a "strong protest" with Beijing, urging against the repeat of such alleged incidents. No damage or injuries were reported from the incidents, he added.

The development comes as tensions run high between Beijing and Tokyo following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Nov. 7 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a "survival-threatening situation," potentially allowing Japan to "exercise the right of collective self-defense." Her statement raised tensions between the two countries.

China sharply criticized the comments, urged tourists not to visit Japan, suspended seafood imports, and also postponed a trilateral culture ministers’ meeting with Japan and South Korea.

Taiwan is claimed by Beijing and lies near Japan’s Yonaguni Island.