China and Russia sent jets over the seas in northeast Asia on Tuesday in what Japan’s defense minister called a “provocative” and “unacceptable” move as President Biden was visiting the region.
Driving the news: Japan says it scrambled jets as Chinese and Russian planes neared the country’s airspace while Tokyo was hosting the leaders of the Quad group that includes the U.S., Reuters reports.
- Biden was meeting with the prime ministers of Australia, Japan and India, which along with the U.S. make up the Quad.
What they’re saying: “We believe the fact that this action was taken during the Quad summit makes it more provocative than in the past,” Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said during a news conference that was broadcast online,” per Reuters.
- The Pentagon and State Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The big picture: The military activity signals that the partnership between China and Russia remains intact even as the war in Ukraine continues, the New York Times notes.
Go deeper … Quad leaders discuss Russia, China tensions at Tokyo summit
