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| Chinese H-6 Bomber |
Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces were scrambled in response to Chinese Air Force aircraft flying over the Korean Strait near the islands of Tsushima and Kyushu, local media reported on Monday.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Six Xian H-6 jet bombers flew across the strait from the East China Sea in the direction of the Sea of Japan, then made a U-turn and flew in the opposite direction. Shaanxi Y-8 and Shaanxi Y-9 transport aircraft were also registered in the region, NHK TV channel reported, citing the Japanese Defense Ministry.
Representatives of the ministry said that the Chinese planes did not violate Japanese airspace.
Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing are intensifying after China announced the establishment of an air defense zone over the East China Sea in November 2013, which spreads to the disputed Senkaku islands.
Earlier in the month, Japanese aircraft were scrambled, when six Chinese planes were flying over the Miyako Strait near Okinawa. The two countries exchanged accusations and criticism over the incident.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.