According to the US Navy, a Chinese military aircraft approached the US Air Force RC-135 over the South China Sea last week, forcing the American pilot to execute risky evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.
The incident is believed to have occurred on December 21, when a Chinese Navy J-11 fighter jet flew within 3 meters of a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane carrying roughly 30 passengers, according to a statement issued by the Indo-Pacific Command on Thursday.
“We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law,” it added
The Indo-Pacific Command is in charge of US military operations in the disputed South China Sea region.
According to the US military, the Chinese jet executed an “unsafe move,” forcing the US plane to take evasive maneuvers to escape it. It also provided a video of the Chinese fighter flying near to the US recon plane.
According to a US military spokesperson, the Chinese fighter flew within 10 feet of the plane’s wing but 20 feet from its nose.
“The RC-135 was in international airspace over the South China Sea and was lawfully conducting routine operations,” the statement said.
The US has raised the issue with China
The United States has raised the issue with the Chinese authorities through diplomatic and military channels.
“The U.S. Indo-Pacific Joint Force is dedicated to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and will continue to fly, sail and operate at sea and in international airspace with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft under international law,” the statement said.
China claims the South China Sea as part of its territorial seas, despite the fact that the United States does not accept these claims and routinely conducts activities there.
It has fought for the freedom of navigation operations through the South China Sea and meets with countries in the Indo-Pacific area on a regular basis to urge its case.