Tokyo Concerned Over Chinese Bombers Patrolling Japanese Border

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Friday his country had voiced concern to Beijing after chasing away six Chinese bombers from its southern frontiers.

Despite there was no violation of the international law, Japanese authorities were "analyzing motives" of the Chinese side sending jets to the region, the Kyodo news agency reported quoting the minister.

China's H-6 medium-range bombers flew between the islands of Okinawa and Miyakojima and approached the Kii peninsula in the south of of Honshu. This was the first time they followed that route, according to Onodera.

Japanese fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the planes although they did not intrude into the Japanese airspace. Tokyo's response was handed over diplomatic channels and there was no official note of protest.

The relations between China and Japan have cooled down recenty over competing claims to the maritime borders that both countries have in the East China Sea.
  (Sputnik)
25/8/17