Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets intercepted a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flying over international waters in the East China Sea on Sunday, with one jet coming within 300 feet (91 meters) of the American aircraft, U.S. officials told Reuters.
Beijing has called on Washington to halt its surveillance flights over the East China Sea after Chinese jets intercepted a US surveillance plane in the region. The US spy plane was intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet over the East China Sea during Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Beijing. It is the second incident involving US spy aircraft over the Chinese-claimed space in less than a month. Hong Lei, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “The United States continues close reconnaissance activity, which significantly undermines China’s security at sea.
In what is becoming a routine event, a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane was again intercepted by two Chinese J-10 fighter planes during a routine patrol in international airspace over the East China Sea on Tuesday, the US Pacific Command said.
Stock photo of a RC-135U
Following the latest escalation in South China Sea territorial tensions, which culminated with China refusing to grant the Stennis aircarrier group access to the Hong Kong port, overnight the US decided to provoke some more Chinese anger when it sailed the guided missile destroyer the USS William P. Lawrence within 12 nautical miles of Chinese-occupied Fiery Cross Reef, according to U.S. Defense Department spokesman, Bill Urban said. This was the third warship the US has sent into contested waters in the South China Sea in less than seven months.