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Chinese fighter jets have allegedly buzzed a Royal Netherlands Navy guided missile frigate during the latest international altercation in the East China Sea.
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The guided missile frigate, HNLMS Tromp, was reportedly circled by two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and the ship’s helicopter was harassed by the aircraft and a PLA helicopter on 7 June.
“In the East China Sea earlier today, two Chinese fighter jets circled the naval ship HNLMS Tromp several times,” according to a public statement released by the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
“The ship’s NH90 maritime combat helicopter was approached by two Chinese fighter jets and a Chinese helicopter during a patrol.
“This created a potentially unsafe situation. The incident took place in international airspace.”
The Ministry of Defence said that HNLMS Tromp was conducting patrols in the East China Sea in support of a multinational United Nations coalition that oversees the enforcement of maritime sanctions against North Korea as defined in UN Security Council resolutions.
HNLMS Tromp continues its journey as part of “Pacific Archer 24” as planned and is now on its way to Japan, the Ministry of Defence said.
“The ship-borne helicopter of the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Tromp conducted an act of infringement and provocation in the airspace to the east of Shanghai City on June 7,” according to a People’s Republic of China National Ministry of Defense spokesperson.
“China is strongly dissatisfied with this and has lodged solemn representations with the Netherlands.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense speaking at a media conference on 11 June, said PLA troops were not to blame in the altercation.
“The Dutch side is calling black white in the futile attempt to cover up its encroachment. On June 7, the ship-borne helicopter of the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Tromp, conducted an act of infringement and provocation in the airspace to the east of Shanghai,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang.
Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command issued verbal warnings and sent out fighter jets to drive the warship away, which was completely reasonable, legal and professional, according to the Senior Colonel.
