Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) has released rare footage and details of two previously undisclosed military confrontations, showcasing Chinese fighter jets responding to foreign provocations near China’s territorial sea and during a naval standoff involving the Liaoning aircraft carrier in May 2022.
In the first incident, two J-16 fighter jets were deployed to intercept a foreign aircraft that had breached China’s territorial sea boundary. CCTV aired video clips of the tense encounter, during which the foreign aircraft flew at a steep 90-degree angle at low altitude over Chinese waters. The precise date and location were not disclosed.
Air force pilot Zhang Zhanfang, a member of the aviation brigade involved, described the maneuver used to drive the foreign aircraft away. “I approached slightly ahead of the target aircraft and closed the distance carefully,” Zhang said. “It changed direction briefly but circled back toward our territorial line again.” He added that a warning was issued from the control tower: “You are approaching Chinese airspace. Please leave immediately, or bear the consequences!”
Eventually, the foreign aircraft retreated, and the situation was resolved without escalation, according to the report.
Military analyst Cao Weidong explained that such operations are standard protocol when defending China’s extended coastline. He noted that aircraft like the J-16, J-10, and J-15 are often tasked with such intercept missions, especially when faced with reconnaissance aircraft such as the U.S. P-8A anti-submarine patrol plane. “We first issue warnings over international frequencies. If a foreign aircraft crosses into our territorial space despite warnings, we reserve the right to escalate—up to and including the use of force,” Cao said.
In a separate case disclosed by CCTV, the PLA Navy’s J-15 carrier-based fighter jets engaged in a high-altitude confrontation in May 2022, after two foreign aircraft carrier groups challenged China’s Liaoning carrier strike group during far-sea training missions.
According to the report, foreign aircraft launched from the two carrier groups persistently tracked and monitored the Liaoning formation. In response, Chinese J-15 jets armed with live missiles were scrambled to intercept and pursue the intruding aircraft from 8,000 meters down to 2,000 meters altitude.
The footage showed Chinese pilots tailing the foreign aircraft at close range until they were forced to retreat. CCTV described the event as a demonstration of China’s growing capabilities in high-seas air defense and carrier group coordination.
These revelations come amid heightened regional tensions and increased encounters between Chinese and foreign military forces in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts say the disclosures are part of China’s broader strategy to signal both deterrence and transparency in handling what it sees as provocative foreign military activity near its borders.
The two incidents also serve to highlight the operational readiness and growing confidence of the Chinese military, particularly in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and responding decisively to foreign surveillance or pressure.
“The message is clear,” Cao added. “China will not tolerate violations of its territorial integrity—on land, at sea, or in the air.”
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