CBS News on board as Chinese jets intercept Canadian air force plane tracking North Korean ships

The CBS News report details an incident where a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft was intercepted by Chinese fighter jets while flying over the East China Sea. A CBS News crew was aboard the Canadian plane during the mission.

Here are the key details from the report:

 * The Mission: The Canadian aircraft was participating in Operation NEON, a multinational mission to monitor and enforce United Nations sanctions against North Korea by tracking vessels suspected of illicit trade, such as ship-to-ship transfers of prohibited goods. The mission was operating in international airspace over international waters, though close to Chinese territory.

 * The Intercepts: The Canadian plane was intercepted multiple times by Chinese fighter jets. 

   * In one instance, a Chinese supersonic fighter jet approached the Aurora. The Chinese pilot reportedly hailed the Canadian captain, who responded: "I'm a Canadian aircraft operating in international airspace, carrying out the duties of all nations." The Chinese jet did not verbally reply but shadowed the Aurora for about 30 minutes.

   * A few hours later, a second Chinese jet, carrying missiles, appeared. This jet flew closer than any Chinese fighter had come before during the mission, getting within "less than 200 feet" (about four wing lengths) of the Canadian aircraft.

 * The Aircraft: The Canadian plane involved was a CP-140 Aurora, a long-range patrol and maritime surveillance aircraft.

 * Context: Such intercepts are often triggered by the Canadian plane's proximity to Chinese territory while carrying out the UN sanctions enforcement mission in the East China Sea. Canadian personnel are deployed to Kadena Air Base in Japan for Operation NEON. The Canadian crew noted that while the intercepts are expected, they increase the risks for the crew.