Dragon TV: The Department of National Defence of Canada issued a statement on June 1, saying that on several occasions, interactions occurred between Chinese military aircraft and Canadian military aircraft during the latter’s implementation of UN Security Council sanctions against the DPRK, and that China’s maneuver was unprofessional and unsafe. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly both said in interviews that they were concerned about China’s actions and that they would raise the issue with the Chinese side. What is China’s comment?

Zhao Lijian: Canadian military aircraft have recently increased close-in reconnaissance and made provocations to the Chinese side in the name of implementing UN Security Council resolutions. This is a dangerous act against China’s national security and the safety of Chinese and Canadian front-line personnel. China firm opposes this. In response to the Canadian side’s provocative acts and unfriendly and unprofessional maneuvers, the Chinese military promptly took legitimate and forceful measures in response that are safe and professional. China has also lodged serious démarches with the Canadian side through diplomatic channels. China urges Canada to see the severity of the incident and refrain from taking any adventurist or provocative moves. Otherwise all the grave consequences will be borne by the Canadian side.

UN Security Council resolutions have never mandated any country to deploy forces and conduct surveillance operations in jurisdictional air and sea areas of other countries for the purpose of identifying sanctions evasion activities. China firmly rejects all moves that endanger China’s sovereignty and national security in the name of implementing resolutions.

I also want to stress that sound and steady China-Canada relations meet the shared interests of the two sides and represent the common aspiration of the two peoples. Canada should respect objective facts, stop spreading disinformation and have a clearer understanding of the situation. It should also adopt a prudent and practical China policy and work toward the recovery and normal development of China-Canada relations with real actions.