Published on 19 May 2016
Two Chinese military aircraft intercept a U.S. military reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea.
The Pentagon said the incident took place in international airspace as the U.S. maritime patrol aircraft was carrying out "a routine patrol". The U.S. has also described the Chinese interception as unsafe. The incident came a week after China scrambled its fighter jets while a U.S. Navy ship was sailing near the South China Sea. Tensions between Beijing and Washington are high in the area. The White House has accused China of militarizing the region by creating artificial islands. China has also criticized increased U.S. naval patrols and exercises in the area.
The Pentagon said the incident took place in international airspace as the U.S. maritime patrol aircraft was carrying out "a routine patrol". The U.S. has also described the Chinese interception as unsafe. The incident came a week after China scrambled its fighter jets while a U.S. Navy ship was sailing near the South China Sea. Tensions between Beijing and Washington are high in the area. The White House has accused China of militarizing the region by creating artificial islands. China has also criticized increased U.S. naval patrols and exercises in the area.
