China to continue high seas air drill: spokesman
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File photo shows Chinese Air Force aircrafts taking part in a high sea drill. [Photo: Xinhua/Tian Ning]

The Chinese Air Force says overflights by its warplanes over the South China Sea, Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait are legitimate, reasonable and justified.

The Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke said the flights over the high seas are part of the air force's routine exercises which aim to build it into a strategic military force that can match with the country's national interests.

"The Chinese Air Force has performed various training subjects on fighting against jamming and interference, reconnaissance and pre-warning, maritime patrol, sea assault and air refueling since it began routine drills on the high seas two years ago, which have improved the army's high sea maneuverability and tested its combat capabilities in blue water."

He said the air force will constantly improve its capabilities through practical training in order to safeguard the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and defend the country's aerospace safety and development interests.

The remarks come a week after China lodged "solemn representations" to Japan over an encounter between Japanese fighter jets and Chinese warplanes passing through the international airspace of the Miyako Strait.

The Chinese side accused the Japanese jets of coming in close range of the Chinese warplanes and "even launching jamming shells, which endangered the safety of Chinese aircraft and crew."

The Chinese defense ministry had said Japanese military's actions "destroyed the freedom of navigation and over-flight endowed by international laws."

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan