China warns Netherlands to show restraint with military actions on East China Sea

China has warned the Netherlands to show restraint when deploying its navy and air force in the East China Sea, NOS reports. The warning comes after the Ministry of Defense reported a “potentially unsafe” situation on the sea when two Chinese fighter planes circled above a Dutch naval ship last week.

China was not pleased by the Dutch response to the incident. “We deeply regret the malicious words and actions of the Netherlands and have registered a protest,” the Chinese Ministry of Defense said, according to the broadcaster.

The Dutch frigate Zr. MS. Tromp is in the East China Sea to monitor the enforcement of maritime sanctions against North Korea that the United Nations imposed because of the country’s nuclear weapons program.

On Friday, June 7, two Chinese fighter planes circled the Dutch frigate for some time, the Ministry said. The naval ship’s NH90 maritime attack helicopter was also approached by two Chinese fighter jets and a helicopter. “This created a potentially unsafe situation.” The Ministry stressed that the incident happened in international airspace.

A week earlier, the Dutch ship also sailed through the Taiwan Strait. China has claimed that passage and was displeased with what it considers an intrusion from the Netherlands. China’s Foreign Ministry told NOS that it accepted international law but “resolutely opposed endangering China’s sovereignty and security under the guise of free passage.”