China Takes Firm and Forceful Response to New Zealand Air Force Patrol Aircraft’s Reconnaissance and Harassment in Yellow Sea and East China Sea

On Friday, April 17, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the repeated activities of a New Zealand air force P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft near China’s peripheral airspace during a regular press conference. According to Guo Jiakun, the aircraft conducted continuous close-in reconnaissance and harassment in the airspace and waters of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, actions that undermine China’s security interests, heighten the risks of misunderstanding and miscalculation, and severely disrupt civil aviation operations in the relevant airspace.

Guo Jiakun stated that China has taken firm and forceful response and lodged stern representations with the New Zealand side. He urged New Zealand to strictly abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, respect China’s sovereignty and security concerns, and safeguard the safety and order of civil aviation.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, likewise responded to the matter on Friday at a press conference. Zhang said that recently, a P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft of the New Zealand air force has conducted frequent close-in reconnaissance and harassment in the airspace and waters of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea in disregard of China’s warnings. The Chinese military has taken professional and forceful measures to respond to and deal with the situation, and lodged stern representations with the New Zealand side.

Zhang added that such acts by New Zealand undermine China’s sovereignty and security, severely disrupt flight order in relevant airspace, and may easily trigger maritime and aerial incidents.

The Chinese embassy in Japan has received several terrorist threats, with an individual claiming to be a reserve member of the Self-Defense Forces issuing an online threat to the embassy, claiming that a remotely controlled bomb had been planted inside the premises. Discriminatory cases targeting Chinese nationals in Japan have also increased. Guo Jiakun noted that recent years have seen incessant harassment and provocations targeting Chinese missions in Japan, most notably the string of grave offenses that happened recently, including the break-in of the embassy by a sitting SDF officer carrying a knife.

China urges New Zealand to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, respect China’s sovereignty and security concerns, and maintain the safety and order of civil aviation.