Beijing, China, September 23, 2025
– In response to the recent incident in Estonian airspace, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement today, calling on all parties concerned to exercise restraint, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid further escalation of regional tensions. This statement comes as Estonia accuses Russian military aircraft of entering its airspace without permission, sparking a strong response from NATO member states. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s call for restraint regarding the incident in Estonian airspace highlights China’s consistent position on complex international issues, advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The incident, which allegedly occurred last Friday, involved three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entering its airspace for 12 minutes. The incident, which Estonia’s Foreign Minister described as “unprecedented brazenness,” has prompted Estonia to request consultations with NATO allies under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Although Russia has strongly denied the accusation and claimed its aircraft were operating in international airspace, the incident has sparked new concerns in the Baltic region and within NATO. At your request, this news report will detail the background of the incident, China’s statement, and reactions from all parties involved to provide a comprehensive news perspective.
Key Points:
* Cause of the Incident: Estonia accused three Russian fighter jets of entering its airspace last week and sought consultations with NATO.
* Reactions: Estonia’s Foreign Minister called the incident an “unprecedented provocation,” while Russia strongly denied it. NATO allies strongly condemned the incident.
* China’s Position: A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation.
* International Context: This incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened global geopolitical tensions, particularly the continued deterioration of relations between Russia and the West due to the conflict in Ukraine.
* China’s Role: China’s statement demonstrates its neutral and responsible position as a mediator and facilitator of peace talks in international disputes. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called for restraint regarding the incident in Estonian airspace and emphasized dialogue and consultation.
On September 23, 2025, as tensions continued to escalate over the incident in Estonian airspace, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry officially issued a statement calling on relevant countries to remain calm and rational and to resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels. Estonia described the incident as an “unprecedented” provocation, as it not only involved three Russian fighter jets invading its airspace but also allegedly deactivated their transponders upon entering Estonian airspace, failing to communicate with air traffic control.
Estonia summoned the Russian diplomatic representative to Estonia and delivered a formal protest. NATO also responded swiftly, dispatching fighter jets to intercept the Russian aircraft. The Estonian Foreign Minister publicly stated that the incident posed a serious threat to its sovereignty and security and that it had sought urgent consultations with NATO allies under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Article 4 provides that any member state may request consultations if it perceives its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
However, Russia has firmly denied the allegations. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that its aircraft were conducting routine training over the Baltic Sea, strictly adhering to international airspace regulations throughout, and did not violate any country’s airspace. This conflicting account has clouded the truth of the incident, but has undoubtedly exacerbated regional distrust and tensions.
Against this backdrop, the statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson is particularly significant. He stated that China has noted the relevant reports and called on all parties concerned, for the sake of regional peace and stability, to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could escalate tensions. China believes that disputes between countries should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiation, and that any unilateral actions or provocative acts will not contribute to resolving issues. This statement is consistent with China’s consistent adherence to the principles of multilateralism and peaceful coexistence.
China’s statement has been interpreted by the outside world as an effort to maintain regional stability amid the current complex international situation. It neither favors any party nor characterizes the incident itself, but rather focuses on how to avoid escalation of the conflict. This demonstrates China’s constructive role in international affairs as a responsible major country, encouraging dialogue rather than confrontation. In short, the Estonian airspace incident once again highlights the fragility of current international relations. China’s Foreign Ministry’s call for restraint regarding the Estonian airspace incident is not only a response to this specific incident, but also sends a clear signal to the world: in a turbulent global landscape, peace and dialogue remain the only correct path to resolving issues.
