However, Chinese officials disputed that claim, saying the “US version of the event is inaccurate.” One US official initially told CNN the Chinese jets came within 150 feet of the US plane, with one of the Su-30s flying inverted, or upside down, directly above the American plane. The issue is being addressed with China through appropriate diplomatic and military channels,” Hodge said. “While we are still investigating the incident, initial reports from the US aircrew characterized the intercept as unprofessional. “The Chinese military will resolutely fulfill its duties to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security,” the ministry said. “Recently, the US military has dispatched multiple ships and aircraft to conduct operations in waters and airspace facing China, infringing upon our sovereignty and endangering the lives of front line personnel from both sides,” the ministry said in a statement. The country’s ministry also urged US officials to “take concrete measures to correct its mistakes” and “avoid similar incidents.” “All operations are conducted in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.”Ĭhina called the US description of the incident “inconsistent with the facts.” The Chinese defense ministry said their aircraft’s operations were “professional and safe” and were in accordance with military law and regulations. “US forces operate in the Asia-Pacific region on a daily basis, including in the South China Sea,” Ross said in a statement. Gary Ross confirmed that the Chinese jet’s actions qualified as “unsafe and unprofessional” but noted that the US continues to review the facts of the incident and will convey its concerns through “appropriate channels” with the Chinese government. The maneuvers were deemed unsafe because they restricted the ability of the Navy plane to fly, the official said. The incident occurred Wednesday and is the second contentious encounter involving US and Chinese aircraft over the past week.Ī US official told CNN that one Chinese fighter flew about 200 yards in front a US P-3 spy plane and began conducting multiple turns. Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets conducted unsafe maneuvers while intercepting a US surveillance aircraft that was operating in international airspace near the South China Sea, according to the Navy.
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