Aircraft, then chopper, China steps up to a bolder presence in E China Sea?Japan has complained to China after a Chinese helicopter approached a Japanese warship in the East China Sea. A Japanese defense official says a helicopter belonging to China's State Oceanic Administration came within 70 meters of the destroyer Monday as it was patroling in the water near Chunxiao gas field (called Shirakaba in Japan). He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.  
Chunxiao is near the 'median line' that Japan asserts is the boundary between the two countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Beijing does not recognize this demarcation. He said the helicopter did not violate Japanese airspace, but it appeared to be filming the destroyer. The incident occurred near undersea gas deposits both countries claim. Japan scrambled fighter jets last Wednesday when Chinese warplanes approached nearby Diaoyu/Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. |
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