Japan and China on Sunday accused each other's air forces of dangerous behaviour over the East China Sea, with Japan saying Chinese aircraft had come within a few dozen metres of its warplanes, Reuters reported. Japan's defence minister accused Beijing of going "over the top" in its approach to disputed territory. China's defence ministry said Japanese planes had carried out "dangerous" actions during its joint maritime exercises with Russia. Tensions have been running high between China and its neighbours over Beijing's assertive stance on claiming land and sea territory. Japan's defence ministry said Chinese SU-27 fighters came as close as 50 metres (170 feet) to a Japanese OP-3C surveillance plane near disputed islets on Saturday and within 30 metres of a YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft. "Closing in while flying normally over the high seas is impossible," Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters in comments broadcast on TV Asahi. "This is a close encounter that is outright over the top." Onodera said Japan conveyed its concerns to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels. He also said the Chinese planes were carrying missiles.
