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Chinese fighter jets maneuver near US surveillance aircraft. Photos/Newslooks
BEIJING – Military China say a reconnaissance plane United States of America (US) deliberately intruded into its training area on May 26 and the act seriously undermined regional peace and stability.
A spokesperson for China’s Southern Theater Command said in a statement that during a routine exercise in the South China Sea with ships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, a US military RC-135 surveillance aircraft intentionally entered the exercise area.
“We earnestly urge the US side to effectively restrain sea and air frontline troops, strictly comply with relevant international laws and relevant treaties and agreements, and prevent accidents at sea and in the air,” the spokesman was quoted as saying. US News, Thursday (1/6/2023).
Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said that the US has frequently sent planes and ships to carry out close reconnaissance of China, which seriously threatens China’s sovereignty and security.
“Such a provocative and dangerous move is the root cause of maritime security concerns,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.
“The US needs to immediately stop such dangerous provocative acts,” he stressed.
“The US should earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, security and interests, promptly correct wrong practices, show sincerity and create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and communication between the Chinese and US militaries,” Mao said as quoted by Newsweek.
It was previously reported that Chinese fighter jets carried out unnecessarily aggressive maneuvers near US reconnaissance aircraft operating in the South China Sea last week.
The Chinese J-16 fighter jet flew directly in front of and within 400 feet of the nose of the US reconnaissance aircraft, the RC-135. This maneuver forced US aircraft to fly through the turbulence.
(ian)
