Trudeau calls reports of Chinese fighter jets buzzing Canadian planes ‘extremely troubling’

Justin Trudeau says his government will be addressing reports of Chinese fighter jet pilots “buzzing” Canadian planes over international waters directly with Chinese officials to ensure it is not part of an “escalatory pattern.”Global News first reported citing multiple government sources that Chinese jets have repeatedly flown so close to a Canadian surveillance plane in the Asia-Pacific region that Canadian pilots could make eye contact with Chinese pilots, who have sometimes shown their middle fingers.“We take this situation very seriously,” Trudeau told reporters while speaking at an event in the Siksika First Nation in Alberta on Thursday.“The fact that China would have chosen to do this is extremely troubling, so we will be bringing it up directly with Chinese officials and (government) counterparts and ensuring that this doesn’t continue to be part of an escalatory pattern.” Canada alarmed as Chinese fighter pilots ‘buzz’ Canadian planes over international waters The Canadian CP-140 Aurora plane is currently taking part in Operation Neon, part of United Nations efforts to enforce sanctions against North Korea and prevent the rogue nation’s development of weapons of mass destruction.

The plane is flown frequently by multiple, rotating crews.Sources told Global News there have been approximately 60 of these types of intercepts with Chinese fighter jets since Christmas.

Over two dozen have been deemed dangerous. Experts said they were concerned a pilot error could lead to a mid-air collision and spark an international incident.The Department of National Defence (DND) later confirmed details of the incidents to Global News.