Ministry of Defense: Chinese Military Forces Dutch Helicopter Out of West Sand Islands Airspace
On the afternoon of May 28, the Ministry of Defense held a regular press conference, where Colonel Jiang Bin, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, answered reporters' questions.
Reporter: According to reports, a Dutch military helicopter recently encountered "interception" by the Chinese military in the South China Sea. What is China's comment on this?
Jiang Bin: Recently, a helicopter from the Dutch Navy frigate "De Ruyter" illegally intruded into the airspace of the Xisha Islands, seriously violating China's sovereignty and harming China's security interests. The Chinese military organized naval and air forces to take strong measures to drive it away and lodged a stern representation with the Dutch side.
The Xisha Islands are inherent territory of China. The Chinese military maintains a high level of alert at all times and resolutely defends territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Dutch side to stop infringement, reckless and provocative actions, and to strictly restrain the actions of frontline naval and air forces to prevent unforeseen maritime and aerial incidents.
The Chinese Armed Forces intercepted and drove away a Dutch military helicopter that illegally entered Chinese airspace over the Xisha Islands on May 28. The Chinese Ministry of Defense condemned the intrusion and stated that it violated China's sovereignty and security interests.
- A Dutch military helicopter illegally entered Chinese airspace over the Xisha Islands.
- The Chinese military took strong measures to drive the helicopter away.
- China's Ministry of Defense issued a formal protest to the Netherlands.
- The incident occurred on May 28.