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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Canada is now getting closer to China. The North American country accuses Chinese air force pilots of behaving in an unprofessional and risky manner.

This happened when fighter jets from the two countries passed each other in international airspace. The Canadian jet itself is on a mission in Japan.

“The Chinese Air Force has repeatedly failed to meet international aviation safety standards,” wrote AFP citing the Canadian military, posted Wednesday (2/6/2022) local time.

“This interaction was unprofessional and/or endangered the safety of (Royal Canadian Air Force) personnel.”

It was also stated that following the incident, the Canadian military had to immediately alter flight paths. This is to avoid a potential collision with an intercepting Chinese aircraft.

“And sometimes the Chinese planes try to divert the Canadian planes from their flight path and fly so close that the crew is very clearly visible,” French media quoted the Canadian statement as saying.

Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the incident was very concerning. It comes less than six weeks after Ottawa and Beijing resumed meaningful diplomatic relations, which soured over Huawei.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in December 2018 on a US warrant in Vancouver. Later, China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor.

China itself did not provide details. Canada itself is in Japan as part of a multinational effort to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]