Beijing accuses the US of “provocation” over air incident in the South China Sea

He chinese government denounced this Wednesday a “provocation” from the United States, after an incident last week between a Chinese fighter and a US military surveillance plane over the South China Sea.

“These provocative and dangerous maneuvers are the source of maritime safety problems.said Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also urged the United States to “cease immediately this dangerous provocation”.

The Pentagon reported Tuesday that a Chinese fighter pilot conducted a “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” on Friday near a US surveillance plane that was flying over the South China Sea.

This incident heightens tension between China and the United States, whose relations are strained by differences over Taiwan and the detection of an alleged Chinese spy balloon shot down after flying over the United States earlier this year.

For Chinese diplomacy, “The frequent and long-term dispatch of US ships and planes for surveillance activities near China impairs sovereignty and national security.”

“China will continue to take whatever measures are necessary to firmly protect its sovereignty and security.”, added the spokeswoman for Chinese diplomacy.

The US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) reported on Tuesday that a Chinese plane “flew directly ahead”, less than 120 meters from an American RC-135, leaving it at the mercy of a series of turbulence.

“The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law.”, the US military said.

A declassified video shows a Chinese fighter jet passing in front of the US aircraft, which is buffeted by various turbulence.

The Pentagon announced Monday that Beijing had declined an invitation by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet his Chinese counterpart in Singapore this week.

Source: AFP